KARE 11, an NBC-affiliated television station in Golden Valley, Minnesota, Tuesday experienced a transformer fire at its studios around 1:30 p.m.
The incident began with a power outage, followed by employees hearing explosions and detecting smoke, prompting an immediate evacuation. No injuries were reported.
The fire, believed to be caused by a transformer malfunction outside the building, disrupted operations, leading to the cancellation of the station’s 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. newscasts. The KARE 11 news team adapted by broadcasting their 6 p.m. newscast from an outdoor setup at their transmitter site in Shoreview, Minnesota.
The station’s ability to stream was also affected, with reports of viewers receiving error messages when attempting to access KARE 11 online.