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Yahoo!A transformer fire at El Encanto Heights caused some concern among neighborhood residents on Saturday, June 21, at 5:50 p.m. Due to an electrical problem in the transformer at 77 Calaveras Avenue, residents were asked to cope with the evening heat and close the vents and windows in their homes or even to evacuate. According to Santa Barbara County spokesperson Capt. Eli Iskow, older transformers contain PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), an extremely toxic insulator. While most have been replaced by new transformers not containing the toxic, some old transformers still exist. Because it was unknown at the time whether the particular transformer contained PCBs or not, precautions were taken. One to two hours passed before Edison Company arrived to turn the electricity off, allowing firefighters to extinguish the fire.
Adriana Zyskowski is an Independent intern.
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One to two hours passed before SCE came to shut the power off so SB Fire could put out the potentially toxic flames coming out of the transformer!!??!!!
Does anybody else find that ludicrous? One to two HOURS!!
Evidently, the health and welfare of everybody on SCE's account list, is not screaming to the top of the priority list!
Ahhh it must be nice to wield such a monopoly!!
Somewhere within the walls of Edison, a head should roll for that kind of thinking!!
livingsb (anonymous profile)
June 24, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Same thing happened in my Area Sun Night. Ours was in a box on the street. SCE took about 2 hours to respond.. Besides the power going out .. I did not know (my house is Solar powered Off Grid Capable. so it just blinked then switch to my Battery back up ! ) MY Scanner went off with the call to the SBFD.
Then SCE took about 2 hours to respond.. They were Blindsided by the Heat!.. But its no excuse.. and yes those old style transformers are very toxic..
thew (anonymous profile)
June 25, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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