Transformer blast shuts down nuclear reactor close to New York

New York

A NUCLEAR power reactor 65 km north of New York City was shut down on Saturday after a transformer fire, but officials said that the Indian Point plant was stable and there was no threat to residents nearby.

People in the area reported an explosion and smoke coming from the plant at Buchanan in New York state. But the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission said the fire had been quickly extinguished. "These events happen occasionally. They are not unheard of and the plant responded as designed," NRC spokesman Eliot Brenner said in a statement. He added the fire occurred at 5.50pm (2150 GMT) and was put out 25 minutes later.