Thousands lose power in Connecticut after West Haven transformer fire: Officials

Nearly 500 households and businesses in Connecticut were without power Sunday night as rain showered most of the state ahead of Memorial Day, officials said. 

Eversource, the state’s largest power utility, reported a total of 397 customers without power as of 8:15 p.m. New Canaan had the most with 145.

United Illuminating reported 99 outages as of 8:15 p.m., including 98 in Derby and one in Fairfield.

Derby-based Storm Engine Co. said in a Facebook post several utility poles were damaged in a crash on Roosevelt Drive between Third Street and Cemetery Road.

The state Department of Transportation reported at 8:15 p.m. that Route 34 in Derby remained closed in both directions at Third Street because a tree had fallen on wires.

UI, which supplies power to 17 municipalities in the Bridgeport and New Haven areas, reported there had been 2,473 customers without power Sunday afternoon in West Haven. Power was fully restored to all customers by 7 p.m., according to UI’s outage map.

West Haven Police Department said the disruptions there had been caused by a transformer fire at the intersection of Elm Street and Campbell Avenue. Police said the outage affected traffic lights extending to the area of Captain Thomas Boulevard and Campbell Avenue. 

West Haven police reported just before 3:20 p.m. that a tree had fallen and brought down power lines on Lake Street at the intersection of Colonial Boulevard. Officials said the area was impassable and urged drivers to seek an alternate route. 

The outages were reported amid on-and-off rain showers the day before Memorial Day. The National Weather Service said the precipitation is expected to taper off in the afternoon and evening.