A couple of hundred people were evacuated from the Eaton Center in Norwich after a small explosion occurred in the basement at about 9:45 a.m. Thursday, officials said.
The building, where classes and small businesses are located, had been evacuated by the time crews arrived, Norwich Fire Chief Tracy Chawgo said.
A metal plumbing snake inadvertently was moved into a 48,000 volt transformer, and an electrical arc shot out, Chawgo said.
There was smoke but no fire by the time firefighters arrived, he said, and no one was injured.
New York State Electric & Gas Corp. crews and Eaton Center maintenance staff helped firefighters check the building, which wasn't damaged, Chawgo said.
About 25 to 30 firefighters responded to the call, and the building at 19 Eaton Ave. was reopened for business by noon.
