Crime & Safety

Reston Transformer Explosion Snarls Traffic, Cuts Power on Sunset Hills

Officials: Fire caused lots of smoke, but little damage.

One Dominion Virginia Power employee suffered minor injuries after a transformer explosion caused a fire at Sunset Hills Road and Reston Parkway on Tuesday morning.

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called to 11800 Sunset Hills (Carlton House Condos) about 8:30 a.m. said Chief Bob Zoldos.

Officials do not yet know why the transformer exploded, but it caused a small fire and thick black smoke that could be seen several miles away. The smoke at one point reached seven stories high, but quickly died down.

The condo building was briefly evacuated, said Zoldos, but residents were allowed back in when it was determined that the fire had not spread to the residences.

As of 9:30 a.m. power and traffic lights were out in places along Sunset Hills between Reston Parkway and Plaza America Shopping Center. Traffic is backed up, but Zoldos said he hopes the scene will be cleared by 10 a.m.



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