Faulty transformers spark electric fire to doctors’ office in Sterling Heights – Macomb Daily

2022-06-24 21:54:51 By : Ms. susan zhang

A number of power transformers malfunctioned Monday in southwest Sterling Heights, including one that damaged much of the interior of a physicians’ office, according to fire officials.

Officials said the power issues were confined to an area of Dequindre Road, roughly between 14 Mile to 16 Mile roads. As a result, about 1,500 homes and businesses were without electricity for most of Monday but power was restored by 6 p.m.

“We had power issues along Dequindre starting early (Monday) and stemming from about 10 to 12 transformers catching fire,” said Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Allen.

One of the transformers that caught fire was close to a building at 36040 Dequindre and eventually the structure started to burn.  Firefighters said the flames spread from the office to the attic.

The fire department quickly evacuated patients and workers from the building and knocked the fire down, officials said.  Damage was estimated to be about $80,000, according to Allen.

The office houses Dr. James Burtka and Dr. Kameshwari Yerra. On their website, the two physicians said the office is closed but they are actively looking for temporary office space until full repairs could be made.

“We don’t usually have this many transformer fires involved, we’re still trying to figure out what happened,” Allen said. “It started with power outages and arcing wires up and down Dequindre. The problem began about 7 a.m. and the last one was reported about 1:20 p.m.”

A spokesperson for DTE Energy said company officials are still investigating what went wrong.

“This afternoon, several DTE transformers located on Dequindre Road between 15 Mile and 16 Mile roads failed. We are currently investigating the cause and will work closely with the Sterling Heights Fire Department in this investigation,” utility spokesperson Colleen Rosso said in an email.

There also were power outages reported elsewhere Monday including about 2,000 homes and business between 11 Mile and 12 Mile roads, east of Hayes in Roseville; and 2,000 outages between Stephens Road and 11 Mile Road, west of Hayes, in Roseville and Warren.

According to DTE’s power outage map, the outages were caused by equipment problems. There was no estimated time for power restoration.

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