Maiden Voyage
Gold™ Member
A transformer caught fire at Hoover Dam this morning, but there was no risk to the power grid and power was still being generated, according to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
No employees or visitors were injured, Jacklynn Gould, director of the bureau’s lower Colorado region, said in a statement.
William Herro, 13, of San Francisco, was on a viewing bridge with his parents when he heard a “big boom.”
“A ton of black smoke just exploded in the air. It looked almost like a mushroom and then a fire followed,” said Herro, who posted cellphone video of it on TikTok. “I was really surprised and I started filming.”
The fire occurred about 10 a.m. and was extinguished within about 30 minutes by the dam fire brigade, according to the bureau, which operates the dam.
“We are investigating the cause of the fire and will provide additional updates as they are available,” Gould said.
The extent of damage the fire caused is unknown, officials said.
A photo of firefighters putting out the blaze appears to show the transformer on the exterior of the lower dam structure. The fire broke out on the Arizona side of the dam.
Video posted on Twitter showed heavy smoke and fire pouring from the dam.
The dam, which straddles Nevada and Arizona, was dedicated in 1935 and generates hydroelectric power, as well as impounding Lake Mead, the source of drinking water for Las Vegas.
The dam is typically open to the public from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with tours offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours include the dam's power plant.
Tours have been suspended for today but will likely resume Wednesday, officials said.
Boulder City firefighters also responded to the dam, but the fire was out by the time they arrived, city officials said.
No employees or visitors were injured, Jacklynn Gould, director of the bureau’s lower Colorado region, said in a statement.
William Herro, 13, of San Francisco, was on a viewing bridge with his parents when he heard a “big boom.”
“A ton of black smoke just exploded in the air. It looked almost like a mushroom and then a fire followed,” said Herro, who posted cellphone video of it on TikTok. “I was really surprised and I started filming.”
The fire occurred about 10 a.m. and was extinguished within about 30 minutes by the dam fire brigade, according to the bureau, which operates the dam.
“We are investigating the cause of the fire and will provide additional updates as they are available,” Gould said.
The extent of damage the fire caused is unknown, officials said.
A photo of firefighters putting out the blaze appears to show the transformer on the exterior of the lower dam structure. The fire broke out on the Arizona side of the dam.
Video posted on Twitter showed heavy smoke and fire pouring from the dam.
The dam, which straddles Nevada and Arizona, was dedicated in 1935 and generates hydroelectric power, as well as impounding Lake Mead, the source of drinking water for Las Vegas.
The dam is typically open to the public from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with tours offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours include the dam's power plant.
Tours have been suspended for today but will likely resume Wednesday, officials said.
Boulder City firefighters also responded to the dam, but the fire was out by the time they arrived, city officials said.
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