Mehr: Get answers from NStar
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 21, 2011
FRAMINGHAM — NStar never explains its fires and other equipment failures. "An underground fire on Tuesday was caused when a transformer shorted out, a fire official said today." ("Underground fire in Framingham knocks out power," Jan. 19).
Shortly after April 20, 2010, BP famously tried to have the world believe that its Gulf of Mexico oil spill was due to a blow-out preventer that "failed," but thankfully, the world started asking better questions...
Why did this transformer "short out?" Contrary to what NStar would have the public and reporters believe - and to what this Framingham fire official implies - underground fires don't just happen randomly. Underground equipment must be properly maintained by NStar and upgraded to the adequate capacity needed to handle the load. Did NStar do this?
I hope you will ask NStar further questions to let your readers know the true cause of this fire.
PATRICK MEHR,
Massachusetts Alliance for Municipal Electric Choice
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Underground fire in Framingham knocks out power
By Norman Miller/Daily News staff
The MetroWest Daily News
Posted Jan 19, 2011
FRAMINGHAM — An underground fire on Tuesday was caused when a transformer shorted out, a fire official said today.
The fire underground at the intersection of Concord and Howard Streets was discovered at approximately 11:15 p.m. when smoke began coming out of a manhole, assistant Fire Chief John Magri said.
NStar came to the scene and turned off power while they did the repairs, Magri said.
Police set up several detours while firefighters checked surrounding businesses to make sure the transformer fire did not cause any electrical or carbon monoxide problems in other buildings, he said. No problems were found.
Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 12:30 a.m.