NEW YORK—A transformer exploded Thursday night at a Con Edison facility in Queens, causing scattered power outages and sending a spectacular light across the New York skyline.

Authorities said a fire caused by the explosion was under control. No injuries were reported.

Fire officials said they fielded a flurry of calls reporting explosions in the Long Island City and Astoria areas.

The explosion caused power outages and also impacted subway service in the area. It also prompted a brief ground stop at LaGuardia Airport. But power had been mostly restored to LaGuardia by 11 p.m. and the airport was resuming normal operations. Travellers were still asked to check with their carriers for updated flight information.



People flocked to social media to find out what happened and to share their observations.



Mayor Bill de Blasio’s spokesperson Eric Phillips tweeted that the lights were attributable to a “blown transformer.”

“Not aliens,” Phillips tweeted.

It was the second major incident involving Con Edison in the last six months. In July, a steam pipe explosion spewed asbestos-laden vapour into the air in Manhattan’s Flatiron District, driving hundreds of people from their homes and businesses.

Con Edison said on Twitter that there was “a brief electrical fire at our substation in Astoria which involved some electrical transformers and caused a transmission dip in the area.”

A spokesperson didn’t immediately return a call seeking further comment.