Possible Transformer Explosion Prompts Power Outage In Reading

READING, MA - A large power outage hit portions of Reading on Monday, prompting a warning from police and knocking out traffic lights in at least one location in town.

Police shared an initial message around 6:30 a.m., saying residents had reported hearing a loud explosion. This was most likely related to an electrical transformer, police said.

The Reading Municipal Light Department had been notified.

Among other locations, the outage was impacting the area around Walkers Brook Drive in town, where traffic lights were not working, according to police.

Motorists were advised to use caution in that area.

Reading Municipal Light Officials posted an update on Twitter around 7:30 a.m., announcing that power in parts of Reading had been partially restored. Vine, Lowell and High Streets were still without power, however.

A new update just after 9 a.m. announced that power had been restored in those locations.

Monday morning's outage, Reading Municipal Light said, initially impacted areas around Haven Street, Washington Street and Woburn Street in Reading. This followed another outage late Sunday night on Wilmington and Federal Street, where officials said a falling tree limb damaged wires.

Power was out between 11:45 p.m. and 3:15 a.m., officials said.