Eversource is working to replace a transformer that was destroyed by a fire on Griggs Terrace earlier this month, as questions remain about the environmental effects. The utility expects no interruption to electrical service.
The July 15 fire at the transformer, located at 18 Griggs Terrace, is under investigation but was likely caused by overheating, said Colin O’Connell, chief of operations for the Brookline Fire Department.
Firefighters were on scene for about four hours. Once their job was complete, Eversource took over.
Among other things, the utility company is responsible for cleaning up oil spilled from the transformer, which contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), synthetic chemicals used for coolant in older transformers.
PCBs, which are no longer manufactured in the United States, “cause a variety of adverse health effects” ranging from skin and eye irritation to causing cancer, according to the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
Christopher McKinnon, a spokesperson for Eversource, said that the spill was contained to the building that housed the transformer.
“We took all necessary steps to activate an environmental response to clean up transformer oil, which was contained to the building, and reported our response to the appropriate regulators,” he said.
But neighbors are worried that the effects may extend farther.
Naomi Sweitzer, who lives next door to the transformer, said she was “incredibly grateful” to the first responders who extinguished the fire, but said that she has been disappointed by a lack of communication from Eversource to the neighborhood.
“We’ve been able to get pieces of information from workers onsite including being told that the site is “condemned” but it’s not clear what that means,” Sweitzer said.
She said she is worried about environmental and health hazards from the possible spillage of PCBs into the air and soil.
“First responders, neighbors, and anyone who uses Griggs Park, which is right across the street, should be told what caused the fire, what environmental and health hazards were caused by the fire and how they are being remediated and if there is anything we need to do to protect our health and the health of the surrounding area,” Sweitzer said.
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is keeping an eye on the cleanup, said Fabienne Alexis, the agency’s deputy press secretary.
Cleaning of potentially contaminated hard surfaces, such as nearby structures that may have been touched by smoke or soot, was completed on Friday, July 21, she said. Crews also collected soil samples on July 24 to examine for any potential impacts.
“MassDEP continues to monitor the cleanup to assure necessary assessment and remedial actions are occurring in a timely fashion,” she said.
Firefighters who were on the scene took precautions, but “will be filling out exposure documentation” because of the presence of PCBs, Paul Trahon, president of the Brookline firefighters’ union, wrote in a Facebook post.
In terms of impacts to electricity, Eversource said there were no service disruptions, and service will continue as they replace the transformer.
“We have a plan to replace the transformer and mobilize backup generators, if necessary, to ensure that we continue to provide safe and reliable service to our customers in the area,” McKinnon said.
The charred transformer was lifted out of the site by crane a few days after the fire.
Video: The damaged transformer is lifted out of the site by crane. Video courtesy of Naomi Sweitzer