SHUNIAH – Always be careful near hydro lines. That message is reinforced by a situation that Shuniah Fire and Emergency Services encountered earlier today.
At approximately 1:00 pm on Friday, August 16, 2019, Shuniah Fire & Emergency Services (SFES) responded to a report of hydro lines down after making contact with a 5-ton moving truck in the 1700 block of MacKenzie Beach Avenue in the Municipality of Shuniah.
First arriving crews reported low hanging lines with no fire. Soon after, a transformer fire developed with fire spread to nearby vegetation. Firefighters set up a perimeter for public safety and advised nearby residents of the hazard.
During this time, it was discovered that there was damage caused to hydro service leading into three nearby homes.
Firefighters started fire suppression efforts around 2:15 pm after the hydro hazard had been mitigated by Hydro One with the fire being extinguished at about 3:15 pm.
About ten firefighters responded to the fire along with the Ontario Provincial Police and Hydro One. All SFES units were back in service at 4:30 pm. It is expected that Hydro One will remain on scene for repairs for some time.
Damage to hydro equipment and lines can present an invisible hazard that can be fatal. SFES recommends that people remain 10 metres (30 feet) away from downed lines or damaged hydro equipment to avoid being electrocuted by the energized ground surface.
