Wind turbine fails, falls in Fayette Co. (Pictures)

SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A large wind turbine has collapsed in Fayette County, but no injuries were reported.

NextEra Energy Resources said crews went to the site in Springfield Township late Wednesday and discovered the wreckage.

“I heard a loud bang, like a gunshot,” Ron Sollosi said.

Laura Steyer said she rushed outside after she heard what sounded like thunder.

“Whenever we came out, we noticed this big mound up there. Then we noticed one of the windmills was missing,” Steyer said.

According to the company, the Mill Run Wind farm consisted of 10 1.5-megawatt turbines. The distance from the ground to the hub in the center of the blades is about 210 feet. The wind farm began operation in 2001.

“Last night our technicians discovered a wind turbine had failed and fallen over. No one was hurt,” said Steve Stengel, the director of communication for NextEra Energy Resources. “Cause of the failure is currently under investigation.”

The company said the other nine turbines are currently offline and the cause of the accident is being investigated.

NextEra is based in Juno Beach, Fla.

WPXI