UPDATE: The explosion February 9 was likely not due to a transformer but to a tree falling on electrical wires. “When the limb came down and hit the energized line, there would have very likely been a very bright, brilliant flash of light,” said Central Maine Power spokesman John Carroll.

Carroll confirmed records of the damaged tree. He said CMP contracted Asplundh Tree Expert Co., who visited the site February 6.

“The tree was on private property,” Carroll said. “And we can’t cut a tree on private property, without the express permission of the owner.” 

Records showed CMP did receive a call from Gilbert February 6, suggesting they should have taken the tree while Asplundh was on the site.

According to Gilbert, Asplundh trimmed back the limbs hanging over wires, in the right of way, but left the tree remaining on the property. 

Two days later the tree fell on the wires, and caused electricity to cut out. 

On February 12, CMP sent their licensed arborist, Mae Ling Cheung, to the site of the downed tree.

Original post: In the early hours of February 9, a transformer exploded on Union Center in Boothbay Harbor. A tree fell on the wires, causing power outages along the east side of the harbor, extending from Eastern Avenue to Atlantic Avenue. You can watch the explosion at the end if the time lapse video below. 

At approximately 2 a.m., Boothbay Harbor firefighter Peter Sullivan was driving north on Townsend Avenue when he said he saw a giant burst of light in the sky. A transformer exploded across the street from the Bayside Inn, a bed and breakfast that Sullivan and his wife, Kathryn, own and operate.  

“I've never seen a transformer blow so close to the house,” Kathryn Sullivan said.

According to Boothbay Harbor Fire Chief Nick Upham, the tree split initially during a wind storm January 30. Upham said Central Maine Power knew of the tree before the blizzard arrived, but never removed it.

Dawn Gilbert and her daughter Laura Rinow own Heads of the Harbor salon, which is next to where the tree fell.

“I know all about that g.d. tree,” Gilbert said.

“We all tried to get it taken care of to avert disaster, but nobody would listen,” Rinow said.

Gilbert said CMP contracted an arborist from Asplundh Tree Expert Co., to trim back the limbs overhanging the wires.

According to a CMP customer service representative, if a tree is touching wires workers are obligated to take care of the hazard immediately. If the tree isn't touching wires, a maintenance check is scheduled and a tree service is contracted to take care of it.

Sullivan said Asplundh tree service pruned the tree back from over the wires, but left the rest of the tree remaining on the property.

Sullivan said he watched as CMP crews struggled with the power line.

“They didn't have the tools to fix the transformer, and another crew came in at 5 a.m.,” Sullivan said. The transformer was replaced, but Bayside Inn didn't have power restored until approximately 2:30 p.m., more than 12 hours later.

Gibert said she was upset about the situation and CMP will be receiving a letter soon.