High Voltage Power Line Sparked Upper Providence Fire, Officials Say

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — A transformer caught on fire in Upper Providence overnight Friday into the early morning hours Saturday, shutting down roads around the township, authorities said. All roads have now reopened.

The incident began at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday night, Nov. 7, near the intersection of Yeager Road and Andrew Way.

A high voltage power line came down on Yeager Road, fire officials said. The arcing wire sparked into an underground gas main, sparking the blaze.

Crews allowed that fire to burn as they sought to control the situation.

"There was no danger to any houses and the gas fire was allowed to burn," Upper Providence Township Fire and Emergency Services said. "It is much safer to allow the gas to burn until it can be shut off. Extinguishing the fire would allow uncontrolled natural gas to flow. "

The fire burned throughout the night into the morning, when PECO crews were able to isolate the main and fix the wires. Firefighters kept the blaze contained while electrical crews worked, and prevented it from spreading to nearby vegetation.

Electricity was knocked out for residents in the Indian Creek development until just before noon on Saturday.

Yeager Road was shut down until Sunday night at around 6 p.m., between Mingo Road and South Lewis Road.

No injuries were reported.