TROY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Crews from a private company were working on the Mount Ida Hydroelectric Dam off Congress Avenue Tuesday morning until something went wrong.
“There was some type of electrical event that occurred that caused the equipment to arc and cause them to burn,” Fire Chief Rich Cellucci said.
An electric arc is the electrical collapse of a gas resulting in a plasma spark.
“Significant burns of varying degrees in different parts of the body,” Cellucci explained. “One was transported by ground ambulance to Albany Medical Center, and the other two were transported by helicopter to the burn center.”
The incident caught the attention of the city council.
“It’s being investigated. I think the state and OSHA will come to the plant. The hydro plant has been shut down. I spoke with our chief several times this morning, to get updates, and, you know, our hearts go out to the victims,” Troy Mayor Carmella Mantello said.
The facility is owned by Relevate Power LLC and operated by Ampersand New York Operations Co. They sent a statement saying that “the station will not operate until further notice.” Mount Ida Hydro officials are working to support the investigation by local firefighters and the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(tags for translation) Mountain
