Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Somers fire chief describes underground electrical fire at Osborne, stresses training and risks
Summary
Somers’ fire chief reported an underground 820‑volt electrical short at Osborne’s boiler-tunnel that blew manhole covers but did not spread smoke to the prison; crews verified conditions with meters, mutual aid was used and the chief urged continued training and requests for greater support from the state-run facility.
The Somers fire chief briefed the Board of Selectmen on an underground electrical fire near Osborne’s boiler building that officials feared could spread smoke into the adjacent prison.
“We were dispatched to an electrical fire at Osborne,” the chief said, describing an 820‑volt line that arced and blew manhole covers. Crews established command, confirmed with facilities staff that the generator and feed were isolated, and sent recon teams into the tunnel with meters. The chief said meters showed no smoke spread and crews were able to terminate the incident.
The chief told the board the facility houses roughly 1,175 inmates and about 426 staff during the day, which elevates the stakes for any underground incident. He described operational steps taken on scene, including confirming the generator feed was not routed through the tunnel before committing crews and deploying mutual‑aid companies for entry, safety officer duties and water supply.
Board members and the chief highlighted a near miss at a hydrant during the response: trapped air in the hydrant line caused a 2½‑inch cap to shoot off when crews opened it. The chief said no one was injured and town maintenance has since re‑bled the system.
Selectmen pressed the chief on training and on support from the state prison. The chief said Somers conducts joint drills with the facility and that larger or more frequent exercises are under consideration; he also asked the town’s legislative delegation to recognize the burden placed on the town when state facilities rely on local emergency services.
The board did not take formal action at the briefing but asked staff to ensure the delegation is aware of the town’s exposure and training needs. The next procedural step is continued coordination with the prison and scheduled follow-ups on mutual‑aid readiness.
