Large power outage hits Chestnut Hill College

Faculty and staff members of Chestnut Hill College were left standing outside after a campus-wide power outage occurred today.

Kathleen Spigelmyer, CHC’s director of communications, said the power in the St. Joseph Hall and across campus went out around noon sounding the alarms shortly after.

“There was an odor of smoke in the building,” said Mark Rounbehler, Battalion Chief 9. “We just came out and investigated and couldn’t find any source. There was a power outage about a half hour ago so we are assuming that is where it generated from.”

On site were four engines, two ladders and a medic unit from the Philadelphia Fire Department. Representatives who were examining the fire system were also on campus.

“We are on campus doing fire alarm inspection of all the buildings to make sure everything is in working order, it appears to be,” said Andrew Anderson from Siemens who has been working on campus all week.

At approximately 3 p.m., a spokesperson from PECO, said that crews were on-site replacing equipment. She said 51 customers reported lack of power.

The cause of the power outage is still unknown.