divCourtesy of the Pennsylvania Fire amp Emergency Services Institute PFESIdivdivbrdivtable stylebackground-colorrgb7599 bgcolor4b0909 border0 cellpadding0 cellspacing0 width100tbodytrtd rowspan1 colspan1 stylepadding-top20pxpadding-right0pxpadding-bottom20pxpadding-left0px aligncenter valigntop width100table stylewidth520px border0 cellpadding0 cellspacing0 width1tbodytrtd rowspan1 colspan1 aligncenter valigntoptable stylebackground-colorrgb255255255 bgcolorFFFFFF border0 cellpadding0 cellspacing0 width100tbodytrtd rowspan1 colspan1 stylepadding-top0pxpadding-right0pxpadding-bottom0pxpadding-left0px aligncenter valigntop width100table stylewidth520px border0 cellpadding0 cellspacing0 width1tbodytrtd rowspan1 colspan1 stylepadding-top0pxpadding-right0pxpadding-bottom0pxpadding-left0px aligncenter valigntop width100table border0 cellpadding0 cellspacing0 width100tbodytrtd rowspan1 colspan1 stylepadding-top20pxpadding-right20pxpadding-bottom20pxpadding-left20pxtext-alignleft alignleft valigntopstrongstrongdiv styledisplayinlinestrongFire Concerns Lead PECO To Halt Smart Meter Installationsstrongdivp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxnbsppp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxstrongstrongstrongstrongpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxstrongstrongspannbspspanstrongstrongpstrongstrongp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanPHILADELPHIA -spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanAfter at least two fires and over a dozen incidents of overheating PECO is halting its controversialnbspa shaperectsmartanbspmeter installation program.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanThe stunning announcement camenbspaWednesday morninganbspas FOX 29 Investigates pressed the company over a spate of recent incidents including fires in Bucks County.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanPECO had plans to install 1.6 million of the so-called smart meters.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanThe digital units are designed to conserve energy and help customers monitor their usage.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanBut over the past few months concerns and complaints have grown that the installation of these new meters have sparked fires including two recently in Bucks County.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanNow PECO is stopping installations as it takes a hard look at the meters and prepares to put safety measures in placespanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanIs PECO concerned that it has 186000 meters in peoples homes here that may represent a danger to them and their families FOX 29s Jeff Cole asked.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanThis situation is obviously being taken very seriously PECO spokeswoman Cathy Engle Menendez answered. We have 186000 meters the vast majority of which are performing well. but weve had 15 cases where there have been issues.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanOf the 15 incidents PECO says it is still investigating nine. Six they claim were not caused by the smart meters.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanAlong with the abrupt halt of the meter installations PECO says it will install warning and shutdown components on those already in place.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanIn his video report for Wednesdays FOX 29 News at 10 Cole spoke to some of the property owners who were impacted by the fires.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxspanIf you want your PECO meter or equipment inspected officials there want you to give them a call. The number isnbspa hreftel855-741-9011 targetblank855-741-9011a.spanpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxnbsppp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxLlanerch Fire Co addsbrpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxOf course if you have any doubt or suspicion about a fire brpp stylemargin-top0pxmargin-bottom0pxcall 911 right awaybrpstrongstrongstrongstrongtdtrtbodytabletdtrtbodytabletdtrtbodytabletdtrtbodytabletdtrtbodytablespanspanpbrp
