FPL had an explosion occur at a Davie Florida plant around 5:30 today. Yhe local news said 2 transformers exploded, and ignited 1000 gallons of "petrol" stored nearby. I live a few miles away, and could see the smoke. They came back with more coverage, and said it happened at a switching station. It took them about an hour and a half to put it out once the foam trucks got there from the nearby Ft. Lauderdale Airport(I could see the smoke turn white as they got it under control)

I'm not in any way saying it is y2k related, but people have mentioned that there sure do seem to be a lot of these type of things happening lately. I read someone's post about the "red truck syndrome", and I agree that it's a valid point, and probable in this case, but still... I seem to be seeing a lot of purple Volvos lately.....

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1999

Answers

As you point out, I think those of us following the Y2k issue so closely have gotten a bit sensitized to anything out of the ordinary (as you say, the "red truck syndrome"). These types of things happen all of the time - if there weren't occasional industrial disasters and accidents, there would be no need for government agencies like OSHA and standards boards like American Society for Mechanical Engineers.

Many people are waiting for a "sign", or perhaps more pointedly, a defining Y2k event *before* the fact. I don't know whether we'll see one or not. More importantly, if there is one, will it recognized and acknowledged for what it is? I doubt it.

-- Anonymous, February 24, 1999

Follow up - news stories about the fire/explosion

Ft Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Miami Herald

-- Anonymous, February 25, 1999