Monk parakeet nest blamed for transformer fire, power outage

LEONIA, N.J. (AP) - Officials say hundreds of utility customers in northern New Jersey lost power due to a transformer fire caused by Monk parakeets.

Authorities learned of the transformer problem around 8:15 a.m. Friday. PSE&G says the subsequent power outage knocked out traffic lights and caused 1,736 customers in Leonia and Englewood to lose their service for about an hour.

Officials say the parakeet nest is to blame for the transformer fire.

Monk parrots like to build large, elaborate nests near the transformers. But the nests are routinely removed by crews because they pose fire hazards and are often considered a municipal nuisance.