Transformer fire knocks out power in DuPage

A transformer fire at a ComEd substation near Glen Ellyn left 4,500 customers without electricity Tuesday afternoon.

The power outages in Lombard, Glen Ellyn, Glendale Heights, Bloomingdale, Addison, Wheaton and Milton Township began at 12:37 p.m., but service was restored by 2:22 p.m., ComEd spokesman Tony Hernandez said.

Glen Ellyn Fire Chief Scott Raffensparger said crews responded to the fire about 1 p.m. at the ComEd facility on Swift Road, between St. Charles Road and North Avenue, but just let the fire burn out.

“The last thing you want to do is put water on that equipment,” Raffensparger said.

Hernandez said ComEd crews remained on site Tuesday afternoon investigating the cause of the blaze.

Meanwhile, firefighters responded to 10 other calls in Glen Ellyn as a result of the transformer fire. Some fire alarms in town were activated and smoke odors were detected.

“When you get a power surge, sometimes it burns up motors,” Raffensparger said. “When it’s part of a power grid, it can cause problems.”