ROGERSVILLE (WATE) - TVA officials are asking people in Northeast Tennessee to conserve energy as crews continue to monitor a fire that erupted last night at the John Sevier Fossil Plant.
The flames broke out around 7:30 p.m. Friday.
Officials say an equipment failure in the switchyard of the plant in Rogersville caused a transformer to explode spilling insulating oil, which then caught on fire.
The explosion knocked two units offline, leaving only one unit operating. This caused a massive power outage, leaving hundreds of homes without power Saturday night. Power was restored Sunday.
Officials are letting the fire burn itself out rather than extinguishing it. They hope to avoid damage to other equipment. Crews are monitoring the flames close by. Officials say once the fire is completely extinguished, they will begin a full investigation.
No injuries were reported.
This is the same plant that had a fire in late 2009 knocking Unit 4 offline.
Meanwhile, TVA officials are asking residents in Greene, Unicoi, Washington, Sullivan and Carter counties to conserve energy as much as possible from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. through Tuesday, July 3.
Those counties are served by Johnson City Power Board, Erwin Utilities and Greeneville Light and Power.
An oil barrel catches fire (Courtesy: TVA)
