Utility Pole Ignites; Closes Down Katonah Avenue
 
By Chief of Department Dean W. Pappas
February 17, 2018
 

Saturday morning on Katonah Avenue turned a bit busy as KFD responded to a report of a transformer explosion in the area of 200 Katonah Avenue. Car 2212 and Engine 117 arrived on scene and commenced an investigation. Subsequently, Car 2211 arrived on scene, and at that time, smoke was noted coming from the base of a utility pole in front of 200 Katonah Avenue. As the smoke increased, Engine 117 tied into a nearby hydrant and deployed a pre-connected hose line. Engines 115, 116 Utility 8 and Utility 22 responded soon after and Katonah Avenue was closed between the Katonah Shopping Center and Valley Road as the utility pole became fully engulfed. 2211 requested an expedite on NYSEG's response and reported that the pole was compromised and there was a risk of collapse with primary and secondary wires coming down onto Katonah Avenue, parked cars and nearby buildings. As the fire on the pole grew, Engine 117's crew sprayed it with a wide stream water flow just to put out the visible fire and reduce the risk of it eating into the pole further. Additionally, crews conducted interior checks of the 200 Katonah Avenue structure and nearby commercial buildings to ensure there was no electrical fire within any of the offices or stores. 2211 requested that Bedford Hills Engine 198 backfill KFD HQ while KFD units were committed to the scene, and also put Tower Ladder 57 on stand by in its quarters. NYSEG arrived on scene and determined that some extensive work needed to be done on the pole and the underground wiring Katonah Avenue remained closed throughout Saturday as NYSEG crews worked on the issue. Katonah units were on scene from approximately 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. We wish to thank Bedford Hills for standing by for us during this incident.

 
Units: Car 2211, Car 2212, Car 2213, Engine 117, Engine 116, Engine 115, Utility 8, Utility 22, BHFD Engine 198 (Stand by at HQ), BHFD TL57 (Stand by at their quarters), Car 2031, Car 2032, Battalion 16.