‘Catastrophic Failure’ Cause Of Fire

July 25, 2023 5:09 am

PITTSBURGH — (WPXI) – Emergency crews are on the scene of a fire at a Duquesne Light specialized transformer on Brunot Island.  Photos and videos shared with our news partners at Channel 11 from viewers showed smoke filling the sky as flames sprout from the island in the Ohio River. Pittsburgh Public Safety said the fire started after a reactor “catastrophically failed,” according to Duquesne Light. Flames could be seen from miles away. While the island is in Pittsburgh’s Marshall-Shadeland neighborhood, images and videos sent to Channel 11 are from as far back at Ross Township. Officials said no one was hurt in the blaze and the fire and any related hazards are contained on Brunot Island. Officials at the scene said the oil inside of the reactor was on fire. Rail traffic was shut down but the river remains open. There is currently no threat to the public and no power outages reported due to the blaze.