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Transformer failure closes GCCTC

3 min read
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WAYNESBURG – A fast-thinking maintenance man working inside Greene County Career and Technology Center Thursday evening saved the school from what could have been extensive damage when an electrical transformer behind the building failed.

“I got a call around 6:30 p.m. that there was smoke in the boiler room and a small fire had been put out. Bob Cole was inside the building doing maintenance when it happened,” said Karen Pflugh, administrative director of the GCCTC. “He is really the hero here. (Bob) said the whole building shook when the transformer went. He quickly got a fire extinguisher and had the fire (in the boiler room) out before the fire company even arrived. It could have been way worse.”

Pflugh said the situation began when the West Penn Power transformer behind the building failed, placing too much load on the school’s electrical system inside the boiler room. She said the outside transformer was placed there in 1969 during the construction of the original portion of the building. The school opened its doors in September 1970.

Jeff Marshall, chief of the Waynesburg Volunteer Fire Department, said cardboard inside the boiler room ignited when the overload occurred.

Marshall said Waynesburg firefighters were on scene at GCCTC for about 45 minutes ventilating smoke from the school and making contact with West Penn Power.

Pflugh spoke with representatives from West Penn Power and the school’s electrical contractor, George Smalley Electric of Hopwood, Friday morning to get an estimate when power might be restored.

Kevin Pratt, a line supervisor with West Penn Power, told Pflugh the company would do everything to replace the equipment and have the electricity fixed. Pratt said power company employees would be working on the problem today and perhaps Sunday if it appeared the work could be completed before the start of classes Monday.

Pratt noted the concrete pad currently used to support the transformer is not the correct size for today’s modern transformers. He said the company is hoping to get a prefabricated pad from an outside contractor soon so as not to delay the installation of a new transformer behind the school.

It also was noted the school’s electric meters are currently inside the boiler room, a practice no longer used by West Penn Power, Pratt said. New meters will be placed outside of the building and there will be new wiring.

The only instructional area directly affected by the power outage was the culinary arts program.

Culinary instructor Dan Wagner was at the school Friday morning with Jerry Simkovic, food sanitarian with the state Department of Agriculture. Wagner said it is protocol to call in a food sanitarian to determine what steps are necessary for food safety when there is an extended loss of power.

“Jerry checked the temperatures of the coolers and only one, a small cooler, was below the safe temperature. The food in it was discarded,” said Wagner. “It was a small amount, probably like $150 worth. The rest of the food was taken to (Waynesburg) high school to be stored in its kitchen.”

Pflugh worked with Central Greene School District Friday to come up with an alternative plan for Monday in the event the power was not restored.

“There will be classes on Monday. Students are to report as usual. If the power has not be restored, we will have classes in the (Waynesburg Central) high school auditorium,” Pflugh said, noting her gratitude to the administration there for helping out.

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