Update: As of 10:30 pm, broadcast reports say power has been restored for about 50,000 customers
NORTHRIDGE (CNS) – Firefighters today battled heavy flames and
explosions at an Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plant in Northridge
that left 140,000 Valley customers without electricity, authorities said.
It was reported at 6:53 p.m. at 18900 Parthenia St., Brian Humphrey of
the Los Angeles Fire Department said. The bulk of flames were out after two
hours.
The facility is known as Receiving Station J, said LADWP spokesman
Michael Ventre.
The fire was in an energized storage vault with 50-60,000 gallons of
mineral oil, Humphrey said.
Eighty-four firefighters let the flames burn while DWP workers de-
energized the facility, then they put water and foam on the fire, Humphrey
said. They did not want to cause more damage by putting water on the flames
while the plant was energized. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters had the bulk of flames out in two hours but were expected
to remain on the scene into the morning to watch for flare-ups, he said.
Widespread power outages were reported as a result of the fire but
Ventre said. Approximately 140,000 residential and commercial customers in the
areas of Northridge, Winnetka, Reseda, Lake Balboa, Tarzana, North Hills,
Granada Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, Canoga Park, and Woodland Hills were
affected.
Only one part of the facility was damaged but the entire facility had
to be de-energized, the DWP said. Undamaged portions were to be re-energized
once the situation stabilized.
Humphrey urged drivers in the area to be cautious going through
intersections that might be dark due to the power outages.
People should check the batteries on flashlights and radios in case they
lose their power, he said. And people should check on young, elderly and
infirm neighbors if they lose power.
Parthenia Street was closed in both directions between Vanalden and
Yolanda avenues.
CNS-07-08-2017 21:19
140,000 reported without power. Details from our news partner NBC4
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Heavy-Fire-and-Explosion-Reported-Inside-LADWP-Power-Facility-433380803.html
8:40pm
- NORTH RIDGE (CNS) – Firefighters today were battling heavy flames and
explosions at an Los Angeles Department of Water and Power plant in Northridge,
authorities said.
It was reported at 6:53 p.m. at 18900 Parthenia St., Brian Humphrey of
the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
The facility is known as Receiving Station J, said LADWP spokesman
Michael Ventre.
Widespread power outages are reported as a result of the fire but Ventre
said the extent of outages was still under assessment.
Parthenia Street is closed in both directions between Vanalden and
Yolanda avenues.