Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Main Street Closed for Underground Electrical Fire

Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell gives reporters a briefing on the underground electrical fire on Main Street today.

UPDATE: According to Norristown Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell, the trouble began at the on East Main Street at DeKalb Street. An underground transformer burned up and the underground fire resulted in carbon monoxide being backed up from the transformer into the businesses along East Main Street. PECO is replacing the underground infrastructure now.

Main Street remains closed between Swede and DeKalb and traffic in that portion of town is horrendous as motorists are being detoured around the scene. It's unclear when Main Street will reopen to traffic.

According to Chief O'Donnell, this is the third such report of an underground fire in the area. Residents will remember a similar that resulted in several explosions and damage to property.

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Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Earlier: Main Street remains closed as the Norristown Fire Department and several neighboring companies deal with what authorities say is an underground electrical fire. PECO is on the scene with Norristown Police, Plymouth Ambulance, Montgomery County Sheriff's and other neighboring fire companies.

Norristown Patch is expecting an official report soon.

Find out what's happening in Norristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Some buildings in the area have been evacuated and opened to air out carbon monoxide leaking in through ventilation systems. Employees of the Wells Fargo on East Main Street have been sent to other branches for the day and sheriff's deputies are on the scene to help with security.

The Norristown Fire Department responded to a call of a possible building fire just before noon today at 47 East Main Street across from the .

Norristown Patch was alerted via Twitter by MontcoAlerts that there were reports of heavy smoke coming from manholes in the area and smoke conditions in nearby buildings. While monitoring emergency frequencies, Patch learned that power had been lost in the immediate area, though the courthouse is reportedly still operating normally and has not been evacuated.

Main Street is closed between Swede and DeKalb streets while police and firefighters deal with the situation.

Norristown Patch will update this story as more info becomes available.


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