Short Lived Widespread Power Outage in Branford

Just before 5 p.m. this evening, the lights around Branford flickered several times for some and all together shut down for others. Just after 5 p.m. CL&P reported 18 percent of Branford’s 16,285 customers were without power. That number was expected to change quickly as the utility company was on scene addressing a blown transformer on North Main Street across from at 168 North Main St. By 5:30 p.m. CL&P was reporting just 2 percent of customers without power.

Deputy Chief Tom Mahoney reported that the transformer blew just before 5 p.m. One of the insulators of the transformer holding a primary wire blew off the pole landing in the street, reported Mahoney. No one was injured, he added. “It’s just a minor inconvenience at this time.”

Those in the vicinity of the transformer could hear the bang, including this reporter who lives nearby.  Other residents from as far away as Pawson Park reported power outages on Facebook, see conversation here.

CL&P did not immediately respond regarding why the transformer malfunctioned. Mahoney said he was not sure if they even knew what happened. Two other transformers on East Main Street, Mahoney stated, also showed signs of power issues but are working fine at this time.

were on scene to address traffic issues regarding streetlights without power and were also dispatched to various homes around town when the power outages caused burglar alarms to go off, reported Mahoney.

During transformer restoration, power was re-routed and restored for most affected residents who live on the East side of town.