Updated: 8:57 p.m. The number of power outages reported in Westfield has jumped to between 5,000 and 10,000, according to PSE&G.

Residents are reporting flashes of blue and green in the sky, believed to be transformers exploding due to high winds and intense rain from Hurricane Sandy. 

As of 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, the Westfield Fire Department was inundated with urgent calls as residents reported fallen trees and downed power lines throughout the town as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

At that time, PSE&G was reporting between 2,000 and 5,000 Westfield customers without power.

A Westfield resident posted a photo of a fire near the fire house on Central Avenue and Sycamore Street on his Twitter feed but when Patch contacted the WFD for more information, Battalion Chief Sawicki said the department was receiving too many urgent calls to answer any questions.

In Cranford, firefighting crews are battling high winds as they work to extinguish a blaze on Jackson Drive near Commerce Place where power lines were burning as of 7 p.m. 

In a message to residents issued at 12:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 29, Westfield Mayor Andy Skibitsky urged everyone to stay indoors and off the streets.

To report an outage, PSE&G advises customers to call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).

According to PSE&G, electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority” customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment.  At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.

Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.

PSE&G has activated its Twitter page to keep the public informed about their restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/psegdelivers to monitor restoration progress.

If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1. For non-emergencies, call 908-789-4130 to reach the Westfield Fire Department or 789-4000 to reach the Police Department.