A utility transformer erupted in flames outside the Nassau County court complex in Mineola on Tuesday, sending a column of thick black smoke over the courthouse and briefly turning a normally buttoned-up block into a spectacle for passersby with phones out.
According to CBS News New York, an electrical transformer caught fire outside the Nassau County Court Building on Long Island on Tuesday. The outlet shared a short video clip of the smoke plume and reported that, in its initial coverage, there were no injuries mentioned.
Video Shows Thick Smoke Over Courthouse
The caption on the clip reads, "An electrical transformer caught fire outside the Nassau County Court Building on Long Island on Tuesday," according to CBS News New York. The footage appears to be bystander video, showing a dense, dark plume rising above the courthouse and drifting across nearby streets as people look on from the area.
Transformer Fires And Local Grid Work
Transformer and utility-pole fires have knocked out power across Long Island in recent months, at times leaving hundreds of customers in the dark while crews made repairs, as News 12 New York reported in March. PSEG Long Island, which runs the island’s electric distribution system, lists reliability and storm-hardening projects in western Nassau County, including planned upgrades in the West Hempstead area.
Where The Courthouse Is And What We Know
The main Nassau County court complex at 100 Supreme Court Drive in Mineola is listed by the New York State Unified Court System. It was not immediately clear from the early clips whether court proceedings or traffic around the building were interrupted during the transformer fire.
This story will be updated if county officials or PSEG Long Island release statements or restoration estimates. Authorities and utilities continue to urge residents to stay well clear of any downed wires and to report active electrical hazards to 911 or PSEG’s outage line, consistent with PSEG Long Island’s guidance on downed-wire safety.
