Crime & Safety
Manassas City Electricity Generator Catches Fire
No one was injured in the small fire, city officials said.
One of Manassas City's electricity generators caught on fire on Tuesday while it was operating during a period of peak usage in the city, said Patty Prince spokeswoman for the city.
It happened Tuesday morning at the city's Godwin Drive power plant, not far from the Manassas Regional Airport.
No one was injured in the small blaze which was quickly extinguished. The building sustained minor damages, but the city's insurance provider is expected to cover the costs of repairs, city officials said.
The fire was caused by a mechanical malfunction within the unit and isn't directly related to frigid temperatures in the area. The generator is powered by neighboring electric provider Dominion Power and acts as an auxiliary to the city's other 30 units, only activating at peak times such as periods of extreme heat or cold.
The city of Manassas acts as its own utility company, providing and selling power directly to its residents.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
