Explosion, fire reported at Hoover Dam outside Las Vegas
No injuries have been reported, and the cause is under investigation
Watch: Witness captures explosion, reported fire at Hoover Dam
Witnesses reporting an explosion and fire at the Hoover Dam in Nevada.
BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Witnesses reported seeing an explosion and fire at the Hoover Dam outside Las Vegas on Tuesday morning, but officials stress there is no risk to the power grid.
Around 10 a.m. local time, the A5 transformer at Hoover Dam caught fire and was extinguished by firefighters about a half hour later, according to a statement from the Bureau of Reclamation.
HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TV
"There is no risk to the power grid and power is still being generated from the powerhouse," the Bureau of Reclamation said in a statement.
There have been no reported injuries to visitors or employees at the Hoover Dam.
In a video posted to Twitter, thick black smoke was seen coming from the base of the dam, with a fire burning beneath it.
Emergency services responded to the scene to investigate, including members of the Boulder City, Nevada, fire department.
However, fire officials said on Twitter that the fire was extinguished before crews arrived.
The Hoover Dam was built in five years during the Great Depression, according to the Bureau of Reclamation.
Concrete placement in the Hoover Dam was completed on May 29, 1935, and the dam was completed on March 1, 1936.
Explosion, fire at Hoover Dam quickly extinguished
No injuries have been reported, and the cause is under investigation.
A total of 21,000 people worked on the dam’s construction, with an average of 3,500 and 5,218 people working on construction every day.
The dam serves as a vital electricity and water management tool for the West.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX WEATHER UPDATE PODCAST
Be sure to download the FOX Weather app to track the temperatures in your area. The free FOX Weather livestream is also available 24/7 on the website and app and on your favorite streaming platform. The FOX Weather Update podcast also provides weather information for the entire country.