Storm causes electrical fire atop Goldens Bridge auto dealership

Emergency units on the scene at Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge. MICHAEL BROOKS PHOTO

Wednesday’s strong rainstorms caused power outages and a  fire on the roof of the newly-constructed Mercedes-Benz dealership on Route 22 in Goldens Bridge. 

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department said it was initially dispatched at 3:16 p.m. to reports of downed power lines and a brush fire behind the dealership. GBFD firefighters transitioned to structure fire suppression when they noticed thick black smoke billowing from a section of the roof of the Mercedes-Benz building. Command on scene upgraded the emergency to an active structure fire at 4:06 p.m., triggering mutual aid response from fire services of surrounding towns. The building was evacuated immediately after crews observed the exterior smoke conditions.

Investigators later determined that the electrical fire on the roof resulted from a electrical supply failure caused by the downed power lines, which had been toppled by a large tree limb. The downed lines also ignited the brush fire.

Firefighters had to wait for NYSEG emergency crews to arrive and cut power before they could attack both the brush and structure fires. A backup generator supplying power to air conditioning units that caught fire on the roof of the Mercedes facility also had to be isolated. During the incident, a transformer on  Old Bedford Rd. on the west side of Interstate 684 caught fire due to shifted electrical load conditions. Firefighters also had to contend with severe thunderstorms during the operation.

GBFD responded with a tanker, rescue, and three engines. Mutual aid assistance was provided by companies from South Salem,  Croton Falls, Katonah, Bedford Hills Vista and Somers.. Also on scene were the Lewisboro Police Department, Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Somers EMS, Westchester EMS, and the County Department of Emergency Services.

NYSEG reported storm-related outages for hundreds of customers, mainly in Bedford and Lewisboro, who were still without power as of mid-afternoon Thursday.