The Geneva Public Works Department’s Electric Division was able to restore power by 5 a.m. today (Monday, Feb. 25, 2019) to downtown customers after a Sunday electric transformer fire on North Third Street.

The fire, which began around 4:44 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 24, stemmed from a cable/connector failure in the primary compartment of an electric transformer on North Third Street, the city of Geneva said in a news release.

The failure triggered a fire that significantly damaged the transformer and caused a power outage for downtown Geneva businesses and residences between Route 31 on the east, State Street (IL Route 38) on the south, Third Street on the west and Hamilton Street on the north.

While all streets and traffic signals in the area remained open and operational, Sunday motorists were encouraged to slow down in the work zone.

When the electric transformer fire was reported to 9-1-1 Sunday, afternoon, the Geneva Fire Department responded to the scene to extinguish the blaze, which caused significant damage to the transformer.

An official cause of the fire is under investigation.

The difficult weather conditions, which included wind gusts of 50 mph or more and fast-falling temperatures, were a challenge for public works crews.

Power was restored to customers within Route 31, State Street, Second Street and Hamilton Street by 8:20 p.m. Sunday. Power in the remaining outage area (Second, State, Third and Hamilton streets) was restored early Monday.

SOURCE: city of Geneva news release