Sayreville, New Jersey – Hundreds of residents in Sayreville, New Jersey, are facing power outages after a fire broke out at a JCP&L substation along Main Street on Friday morning. The incident, which resulted in about 4,000 people losing power initially, has left approximately 1,800 residents still without electricity as of Friday evening. JCP&L officials anticipate that power may not be fully restored until Saturday.
The fire at the substation occurred during repair work, causing injuries to a contractor working for the utility company. The victim sustained burns to his hands and was promptly transported to St. Barnabas Burn Center for treatment. Witnesses reported hearing an explosion around 11 a.m., coinciding with the power outage experienced throughout the town.
In response to the outage, a temporary substation was brought in on Thursday to help address the ongoing issues of rolling brownouts in the area. While businesses, like Rustoni’s Pizza, were directly impacted by the power loss, the safety of individuals remained a top priority.
Owner Butch Nesimi shared his experience of hearing the explosion and witnessing smoke in the air, prompting the evacuation of the establishment and leaving the ovens cold and food supplies at risk. Concerns about the perishable food stored in refrigerators arose, but Nesimi remained hopeful for a quick resolution and aimed to reopen his doors by Saturday morning.
As the affected businesses and residents cope with the power outage, traffic disruptions at key intersections have also been reported. Authorities are working on extensive repairs, acknowledging the time needed for restoration. JCP&L has stepped in to provide support by offering ice and water to those in need, available at designated locations throughout the town.
Despite the challenges posed by the fire at the substation, community members are banding together to navigate through the temporary inconvenience until full power is restored. The resilience and support shown during this unexpected event reflect the unity and spirit of Sayreville residents in overcoming adversities.
