Power lines rubbing tree in Downtown Jersey City set fire 25 feet above street

Thursday, July 08, 2010
By PATRICK VILLANOVA
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

The Jersey City Fire Department and PSE&G workers put out a small fire that ignited in Downtown Jersey City yesterday after power lines chaffed against a tree.

The fire started just before 11:40 a.m. on Mercer Street, between Varick Street and Jersey Avenue, when two wires rubbed against the tree nearly 25 feet above the street, said Battalion Chief Greg Lallo.

Some 2,262 residents on the block and surrounding area went without power for more than an hour when it was turned off to allow a PSE&G worker to ascend above the street and trim numerous branches around the small fire site, a PSE&G spokeswoman said.

The power company worker then squirted the tree bark with water to insure the flames and smoke would not return.

The fire was first reported when Mercer Street resident Marilyn Terry stepped out of her parked car and noticed ash drifting down onto her hair.

"I heard some sizzling noise and then saw sparks coming out of the tree," she said.

Terry was not injured and said she did not need medical attention.

Power was restored on Mercer Street at 1:09 p.m. after the smoke and flames were dealt with, the PSE&G spokeswoman said.