Downed Electrical Wire Causes Smoke, Small Fire in Westfield

The Westfield Fire Department responded to a smoking downed electrical wire Sunday afternoon at the intersection of Summit Avenue and Summit Court.

How the wire broke from its utility pole is unclear but the amount of smoke that resulted led firefighters to believe it had engulfed a nearby home, according to officials at the scene.

Firefighters broke down the door to find the fire had not spread to the unoccupied home. When the wire went down, it sent sparks and smoke into the gutter and blackened a fence behind the home. Some soot damage also resulted in the back of the house.

Firefighters said small flames behind the house went out on their own.
The smoke was reported by neighbors around 3:15 p.m. In addition to the Westfield Fire Department, the Plainfield, Cranford and Springfield fire departments also responded to the scene.

No one was at the home at the time of the incident and no injuries were reported.

Westfield Fire called PSE&G and was waiting for them to arrive as of 4:15 p.m.