Transformer explosion turns New York sky bright blue

A transformer explosion at an electric power substation in the New York City borough of Queens lit up the night sky with a bright blue light on Thursday, mystifying some residents, but officials said no one was injured in the incident.

“The light you have seen throughout the city appears to have been from a transformer explosion at a Con Ed facility in Queens,” the New York Police Department said in an advisory on to residents on Twitter.

“The fire is under control, will update as more info becomes available,” it said.

Scores posted footage of the glowing skyline to social media, saying the sky was “bright as day”. Footage of the scene showed the sky flickering a bright blue-green for several minutes.

Police advised people to avoid the area and later confirmed no one had been injured as a result of the incident.

The strange sight was caused by an explosion at the Con Edison power plant in Queens, with the New York Police Department officially confirming on Twitter that the cause of the remarkable sight was the explosion and there was “no evidence of extraterrestrial activity”.

“There was a brief electrical fire at our substation in Astoria which involved some electrical transformers and caused a transmission dip in the area. We’re currently investigating the cause of the incident,” Con Edison tweeted.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a message on Twitter no one was injured and that Con Edison was evaluating the extent of power outages in the area. He said the light was caused by an electrical surge at the substation.

The incident causes several streets to lose power and also caused a blackout at LaGuardia Airport.

Power was returning at LaGuardia Airport, de Blasio said, but travellers could expect delays.

The airport urged people to check their flight status with their carrier, saying “Many flights are departing, some are not”.