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How safe are the aerial electrical transformers in our neighborhood? George and Susan Kettel who live on Bayridge report that a transformer near their property exploded in January during a thunderstorm. The Kettel's said they were without power for about eight hours. What concerned them most was the danger of fire from the smoldering wires that fell from the transfer and the fear that they may have been live wires. A similar incident was reported by Lisa Kidder who lives on Diversey. Her incident occurred several years ago but according to Lisa, "...it was scary when that transformer exploded". While surfing the web on June 22, 2203, a neighbor came across the following article and e-mailed it to Alison Gordon.
By Lloyd Grove This Just In... When Lightning
Strikes • Vice President Cheney's general counsel, David Addington, is spending the weekend with his wife, Cynthia, and their three children trying to recover keepsakes from their Alexandria house, which caught fire Thursday night after a bolt of lightning apparently hit a nearby power line. Addington was at the office when a power surge around 9 p.m. produced sparks in a second-floor bedroom, setting the house ablaze. His family evacuated safely to a next-door neighbor's home and called the Alexandria Fire Department. Eighteen firefighters rushed nine pieces of equipment to the 83-year-old brick colonial on West Maple Street, and took 20 minutes to douse the fire. The Addingtons spent the night in a hotel. Battalion Chief Thomas Harrell estimated the damage at $125,000 -- $120,000 to the building and $5,000 to the Addingtons' possessions. The house has an assessed value of $626,400. Addington declined to comment Friday, but neighbor William Barrett told us: "The crack of lightning almost blew me out of my chair."
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