Underground cable failure sparks transformer fire and Newark power outage
Oct 2018Published 14 Sept 2026Responsible editor: Chief Editor
- Where
- downtown Newark, New Jersey
- Operator
- PSE&G
- What
- underground cable failure caused transformer fire
- Cause
- cable failure, under investigation
- Outcome
- outage affecting 1,500 customers, most restored by Sunday
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Companies named in the reporting of this entry (being named is not a finding of fault): PSE&G
What happened
An underground electrical cable failure caused a transformer fire in downtown Newark, New Jersey on a Saturday afternoon. A resident reported hearing a loud explosion and seeing smoke rising from the street. The fire led to a widespread outage affecting approximately 1,500 customers at its height, including a Rutgers University residence hall and the New Jersey Institute of Technology, and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center cancelled a concert scheduled for that evening.
Utility crews worked through the weekend to inspect the damaged electrical facilities and restore service. By Sunday morning PSE&G reported all but five larger business customers had been restored, with the Hahne's building and 15 Rector Street still without power as of Sunday evening. The utility said the fire was caused by a cable failure, which was under investigation.
Contributing factors
An underground cable failure, cause not further specified, was identified by the utility as the trigger for the transformer fire. The matter was under investigation at the time of reporting.
Lessons learned
- Underground cable failures can trigger transformer fires and outages for universities and venues, so contingency plans must cover these dependencies.
- Crews must inspect damaged underground facilities before re-energisation to limit weekend disruption to business customers.
More lessons on electrical protection and isolation, outages, backup supply and restoration, from every incident on the register.
Not yet known
- Exact cause of the cable failure
- Age and model of the cable and transformer
- Cost of the damage and outage
This entry is updated when these are reported. Get an alert for the next one like it.
Source
Other entries that name Newark
Published 2026-09-14. Written from public reporting. Descriptive, not investigative. See the data accuracy disclaimer.
