Power Surge Sparks Fire During Utility Work

Firefighters checked 11 homes on Selvage and Alicia Avenues after a power surge sparked a small fire in a house while utility crews were installing electric lines outside, officials said.

A resident reported seeing smoke coming from a home and fire crews were dispatched around 2:45 p.m.

“PSE&G was working on the block, installing new power lines. The police officer on the traffic detail called it in after the resident notified him,” Fire Chief Anthony Verley reported.

Crews found a burnt extension cord caused by a power surge from the street, Verley said. The home had numerous appliances on power strips, but a circuit breaker tripped and knocked out the fire.

“While on scene, [firefighters] were then called to another Selvage Ave home where they found a TV set with electrical damage from the power surge,” the chief said in a statement. “After consulting with Public Service, we then checked 11 other houses on Selvage Ave and Alicia Ave and found tripped breakers in one home.”

Verley reminded residents to keep electrical wiring properly maintained and not overloaded.

“We were very fortunate that there wasn’t more damage,” the fire chief said.

A PSE&G spokeswoman had no details on the incident, but said it was being investigated.

Utility crews have been working throughout Teaneck as part of a slew of projects designed .

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