Explosion Evacuates Bulidings Near Danbury Hospital

A squirrel may have been the cause for an explosion, fire, and subsequent power outage adjacent to Danbury Hospital which caused two buildings to be evacuated this afternoon.

The explosion and small fire happened outside the finance building of Danbury Hospital on the corner of 94 Locust Avenue and Crane Street this afternoon around 1PM, sources say.  

The finance building is across the street from the Danbury Hospital's Emergency Department entrance.  Across Crane Street from the finance building, is the Connecticut Birthing and Women's Center.  

According to eyewitness reports from inside the finance department of Danbury Hospital, a squirrel running, then sitting atop a power transformer on a telephone pole adjacent to the building caused a loud explosion and immediate power outage in the finance building.  The telephone pole fell to the ground and the transformer began to burn.  

The explosion caused a momentary power outage in other locations throughout Danbury.  One report received by HamletHub reporters from the southern area of Danbury, near the Bethel town line said that power was out for about 5 seconds at about the time of this explosion.  

Fire and police officials responded and are still on the scene.  Employees have been admitted back into the finance building, but the power is still out in building.  

No one was injured and no vehicles were damaged. 

Pictured:  Connecticut Birthing and Women's Center (left) and finance building of Danbury Hospital (right).