Transformer fire causes Watkins Road lane closure, power outage

UPDATE, 1:40 p.m. — Both lanes of Watkins Road in Millport are now open, and power has been restored to the area.

MILLPORT, N.Y. ( WETM ) — One lane of Watkins Road in Millport is now closed and more than 100 NYSEG customers are without power after a Sunday morning transformer fire.

According to the Village of Millport Fire Department, a fire started on a utility pole along Watkins Road (state Route 14) near the intersection with Smith Road at about 8:18 a.m. on May 5, and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.

According to 511ny.org , all lanes of the road were temporarily closed from Smith Road to Johnson Hollow Road from about 8:30 a.m. to about 9:20 a.m. when the northbound lane reopened. As of 10:50 a.m., the roadway was still reduced to one lane and flaggers were directing traffic.

According to the NYSEG outage map, 139 NYSEG customers are without power in Millport and Pine Valley. A crew from NYSEG is working on restoring power to the area, and power is expected to be back at about 12:45 p.m.

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