Week In Review: Bad Weather, Fire at the Mall and Fatal Accident on Train Tracks

This week ended with some serious tragedies in Hyattsville.

On Saturday evening a malfunctioning electrical transformer sparked a fire at the . About 1,000 people were evacuated and damages are estimated at $200,000. The mall reopened at noon on Sunday.

The fire was reported just before 4:30 p.m. Firefighters arrived on the scene and reported seeing smoke from a shipping/delivery tunnel in the rear of the shopping center. As firefighters waited for the power to be shut off, an explosion occurred inside the transformer, causing the fire to accelerate and sending thick, black smoke throughout the tunnel and into the mall area, said Mark Brady, Prince George’s County Fire/EMS spokesman.

As firefighters were assisting shoppers from the mall, they reported several fire exit doors locked. It was also determined that the fire alarm system was not working inside the mall.

All of the shoppers was able to exit the mall safely, but one adult female suffered an unknown illness and had to be transported to a local hospital, Brady said.

Earlier on Saturday, a tornado watch was issued for Prince George's County. Storms formed west of the D.C. metro area and conditions were favorable for tornadic development.

The washout caused the City of Hyattsville to cancel its 125th anniversary parade and festival. A carnival, however, was still on for Friday night and Sunday.

On Friday night, a pedestrian was struck and killed on the CSX railroad tracks on Rhode Island Avenue between Farragut Street and 43rrd Avenue. Police were at the near the Prince George's County Police District 1 headquarters. County police have told Patch they have no information on the incident. Patch has talked to one witness and will update you once we have more information.

Patch photographer Chris Suspect captured the spins and twists of the Northwestern High School class of ’68 dance contest at the Surf Club in Riverdale. Check out slices of the evening at Patch.

On Wednesday night Patch captured the statements of all 13 candidates for Hyattsville City Council as they debated some of the top issues. Although only a few questions made the slate (likely due to time and number of candidates), they all got to share their visions for the city.

We reported on the evening via Twitter with posts and photographs.

To keep up with the races, check out and the

Patch reported on Tuesday that with barely two hours left in the 2011 legislative session, the House of Delegates gave final approval to a bill providing in-state tuition to Maryland's undocumented students.

A new elementary school planned for West Hyattsville has the city on its ear waiting for the county school system to entertain its concerns over traffic congestion, student safety and sustainability.

Plans for the school, which will be situated on property off Nicholson Street behind , include ingress and egress off Editor’s Park Drive to the north and Nicholson to the south. Check out what city officials thought about the plans.

Early in the week, Patch profiled local musician Curt Lucas. With his band, the , Lucas weaves layers of classic vibes into down home lyrics for a wholesome, American sound.

Other highlights of the week included profiles of some candidates for the Hyattsville City Council.