'Sexiest Woman' Megan Fox to play Mother Teresa

Hollywood siren Megan Fox, who was recently voted Sexiest Woman In The World by FHM magazine, is set to play Mother Teresa.
But devout Catholics need not fear, it is not a serious biopic.


Saintly? Megan Fox plays Mother Teresa in a movie within a movie

She stars in How To Lose Friends and Alienate People as upcoming actress Sophia Maes, who lands the lead role in a movie-within-a-movie on the life of the famous nun.
Fox appears alongside Simon Pegg and Kirsten Dunst in the film, which is based on Toby Young's memoir of the same name.


Siren: The actress stars in How To Lose Friends and Alienate People

Meanwhile, the 22-year-old has been ordered to put on weight for her role in the second Transformers movie.

The Angelina Jolie look alike said: 'I had to put on weight. I’d lost a lot of weight and got really scrawny, but I was told I had to put on size for Transformers because Michael [Bay, the director] doesn’t like skinny girls.'

'I have a serious sugar tooth, so now I eat red-velvet cake before I go to bed every night, and if you eat meals later, you’ll put on weight faster, so I had dinner at 10 p.m.


Action hero: Megan has been ordered to put on weight for her role in the next Transformers movie

Megan Fox squeezes herself into a pair of denim hotpants in thrilling new Transformers 2 trailer

As if watching giant robots fighting for control of the planet wasn't enough, producers have given film fans another reason to watch the new Transformers sequel - the sight of Megan Fox in hotpants.
The stunning actress squeezes her curves into a tiny pair of denim shorts as she reprises her role as sexy biker Mikaela Banes in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.

In the opening scenes of the latest trailer of the action movie, a hotpants-clad Mikaela is seen talking to her boyfriend Sam Witwicky on the phone about the new long-distance status of their relationship.
Scroll down to see the new trailer\




Sizzling: Megan Fox's character Mikaela Banes is working at her dad's bike shop and in a long-distance relationship with her boyfriend Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) at the beginning of the film

Hero Sam, played by Shia LaBeouf, has moved away to New Jersey to study astronomy at historic Princeton College and is trying to live a normal life following his battle with the evil Decepticons in the previous film.
With only eight weeks to go before the film hits cinemas, producers have released a new trailer giving further clues to the movie's plotline and finally confirms Decepticon leader Megatron comes back from the dead after being killed by Sam in the first film two years ago.

In the new trailer, Sam disappoints his robot friend Bumblebee, who transforms into his car Chevrolet Camaro, that he can't bring him to college because freshman (first years) aren't allowed vehicles on campus.


Growing up: Sam (Shia) informs his car-robot friend Bumblebee he's moving to college without him

Once at university, Sam discovers its not so easy to leave his double life as an assistant to the heroic Autobots behind when he finds a sliver of Energon Cube (the Transformers' energy source) in his room on campus.
The presence of the cube appears to be unlocking secrets in Sam's brain - who is tormented by bizarre symbols when he's trying to study - and they're secrets the villainous Decepticons want to find out
An angry Megatron, who has been resurrected by his fellow Decepticons, wants to get revenge on Sam and is desoerate to get the secrets from Sam's brain.

Sam soon finds he has been followed to university by Autobots leader Optimus Prime, who informs him he's needed to help them stop the Decepticons' mission to rid the world of humans so they can live off Earth's resources.







After the Decepticons ravage the historic hallowed halls of Sam's university Princeton, he reunites with girlfriend Mikaela and the Autobots as their fight against the Decepticons takes them to Egypt.
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen not only brings back familiar robts like Optimus Prime, Bumblebee and Megatron, but also a host of new 'bots.

Among the new robots are mechanical jaguar Ravage, who spies on the Autobots and humans for the Decepticons, and The Doctor, a spider-like droid who tries to extract information from Sam.
Transformers screenwriter Alex Kurtzman told the USA Today newspaper: 'In the spirit of "more than meets the eye," Ravage isn’t just lethal because of his sharp teeth.





'There’s actually another skill set Ravage has that didn’t exist before, so there’s going to be a surprise for fans.'
A group of Decepticons also join forces to form The Devastator, who wages mass destruction on a huge scale.
Another screenwriter Roberto Orci said: 'He’s made of vehicles designed to build, and he turns into is someone who loves to destroy. He is an agent of absolute chaos.'
In the film, the Decepticons, desperate for the information, wage war to capture Sam and the climactic battle scene takes place at the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt, where film crew were granted access to the 5,000-year-old site for the first time ever.





Egyptian hieroglyphics resembling helicopters in real life were also used, where they will be explained in the film as being depictions of those ancient Cybertronians who visited Earth.
The film’s Army liaison, Lt. Col. Gregory Bishop, said: 'As far as I know, this is the biggest joint military operation movie ever made, in terms of Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. I can’t think of one that’s bigger.'
Shia injured his hand when he was involved in a car crash in July 2008, which disrupted filming of the $200million science fiction blockbuster.
Shia's bandaged hand was subsequently written into the plotline after Sam is left injured after a clash with a Decepticon.

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will be released in the UK on June 24.

Newly single Megan Fox bounces back after calling off her engagement

If Megan Fox is nursing a broken heart, she certainly didn't let it show as she stepped out in Los Angeles yesterday.
The Transformers star, whose engagement to Brian Austin Green was called off earlier this week, was spotted dining out at the Smoke House restaurant in Studio City.

Looking casual in a vest top and flared jeans, she was obviously keen to carry on with business as usual despite the separation.


Business as usual: Actress Megan Fox goes to lunch at the Smoke House in Los Angeles yesterday

The previous day she was also seen keeping up her routine with a trip to the Coffee Bean cafe in Hollywood.
Megan and Brian mutually decided to go their separate ways after a two-year engagement, with a source saying the pair are 'still friends'.
They obviously remain on good terms - Megan was leaving Brian's home earlier that morning and then paid an afternoon visit to his six-year-old son Kassius.

The 22-year-old started dating the Beverly Hills 90210 star, 35, in 2004 and soon moved in together.


Single and ready to mingle: A smiling Megan stepped out in LA on Thursday

Pictured in Los Angeles over Valentine's weekend, Megan and Brian looked miserable as they headed out for lunch.

A friend of the couple told Us Weekly magazine: 'The relationship had run its course.
'It's completely amicable, and they are remaining friends... they are both focusing on their careers.'

Despite not having to deal with the messy aftermath of divorce, the couple may have to undergo painful procedures to remove tattoos of each other's names.




Caffeine fix: The Transformers actress visited her local Coffee Bean cafe

Megan has Brian's name tattooed in script between her right hip and pubic bone.
At the American GQ Man of the Year awards in November, the couple silenced rumours they had split in the summer as they spoke of their wedding plans.
Brian said: 'The ceremony will be small, Originally we were talking elopement and now we might have a few people there.'
Megan added: 'It's not going to be a big wedding. I'm not one of those girls. If it happens, it will be very low-key and quick and unplanned.
'I feel like I need to set my career and do a movie other than Transformers. Then I'll explore family.'


Trouble in paradise: Megan and Brian appeared distant as they visited a LA cafe with his son Kassius on 15 February

Last year, Megan was named FHM magazine's Sexiest Woman In The World.

The actor was clearly aware of Megan's popularity with male fans and admitted he felt unattractive next to her.
He said: 'She always looks hot. I stand next to her and it's like beauty and the beast.'
Brian has previously been engaged to his 90210 co-star Vanessa Marcil, mother of his son Kassius and also dated another 90210 co-star Tiffani-Amber Thiessen in the Nineties.
Megan will next be seen on screen in the Transformers sequel Revenge Of The Fallen this summer, while Brian is currently filming TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Action girl: Megan and co-star Shia LaBeouf in the first Transformers film

Transformers star Megan Fox shows off her assets in a low-cut top

Megan Fox has one of the most desirable bodies in Hollywood and she was showing off quite a bit ot if as she stepped out in Hollywood at the weekend.
The Transformers actress, 22, pumped up her cleavage in a low-cut pink and black top as she left the Sunset Marquis Hotel.

She was wearing ripped jeans and beige peep-toe ankle boots but no engagement ring - a further sign that things aren't going well in her relationship to actor Brian Austin Green.


Busting out: Megan Fox showed off her assets in a low-cut top and skinny jeans as she left a Hollywood hotel over the weekend

The stunning actress, recently voted Sexiest Woman In The World by FHM magazine, finished off an odd-looking outfit with a crochet waistcoat.
Over the weekend, E! gossip columnist Ted Casablanca claimed Megan had moved out of the Hollywood Hills home she had shared with fiance Brian for four years.
An insider told E!: 'Well, when someone leaves and goes to a hotel, it doesn't exactly say, "Let's get married," does it?'
Last month, it was reported the couple had ended their engagement after four years together.


Lad's favourite: Megan was voted FHM's Sexiest Woman In The World last year

Despite news of their split, they have been frequently spotted together and were seen shopping for homewares in LA last week.
A friend told InTouch Weekly magazine the couple had simply hit a 'rough patch' and were hoping to work things out.


Rocky romance: Megan with on/off boyfriend Brian Austin Green

At the American GQ Man of the Year awards in November, the couple silenced earlier rumours they had split in the summer as they spoke of their wedding plans.
Brian said: 'The ceremony will be small, Originally we were talking elopement and now we might have a few people there.'
Megan added: 'It's not going to be a big wedding. I'm not one of those girls. If it happens, it will be very low-key and quick and unplanned.
'I feel like I need to set my career and do a movie other than Transformers. Then I'll explore family.'
Last year, Megan was named FHM magazine's Sexiest Woman In The World.

The actor was clearly aware of Megan's popularity with male fans and admitted he felt unattractive next to her.
He said: 'She always looks hot. I stand next to her and it's like beauty and the beast.'
Brian has previously been engaged to his 90210 co-star Vanessa Marcil, mother of his son Kassius and also dated another 90210 co-star Tiffani-Amber Thiessen in the Nineties.
Megan will next be seen on screen in the Transformers sequel Revenge Of The Fallen this summer, while Brian is currently filming TV series Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Transformers star Shia LaBeouf gets flirty with 'Sexiest Woman' co-star Megan Fox

Rising star Shia LaBeouf was spotted indulging in a little flirtation with his co-star Megan Fox while on set of the Transformers sequel.

Fox, who was crowed this year's 'Sexiest Woman' by FHM magazine, giggled along as the actor did his best to entertain her between takes.


All smiles: Shia LaBeouf and Megan Fox enjoy a laugh between takes of the Tranformers sequel in LA yesterday

But it's likely just harmless fun rather than a budding onset romance, considering Fox has a long term boyfriend, former 90120 star Brian Austin Green.
The 22-year-old LaBeouf is still nursing an injured hand after it was crushed when his truck flipped in car crash in Hollywood earlier this month.




Sock it to me: Shia, who injured his hand in a car crash earlier this month, does his best to keep Megan entertained with a sock puppet

He had his injury written into the script of the sequel to accommodate a full shooting schedule which left no for delay.

LaBeouf was arrested on a suspicion of drink-driving and spent several days in a hospital.
However, a police spokesman announced two days after the crash that LaBeouf 'was not at fault'.
'We have strong evidence that the other driver ran a red light,' Steve Whitmore said.

Indiana Jones star Shia LaBeouf to return to work with fingers in a splint after horror crash

Actor Shia LaBeouf was due to return to the set of the Transformers sequel on Thursday, less than three weeks after he shattered his left wrist in a car crash.
The 22-year-old, who was out and about in Los Angeles on Wednesday, underwent extensive hand surgery following the wreck and is still wearing a brace on his wrist.
His fingernails remain black due to bruising and bleeding under skin.




Bracing himself for a return to work: Shia LaBeouf's left hand is still in a brace

The Indiana Jones star was arrested on a suspicion of drink-driving when his Ford pick-up truck collided with another vehicle at a junction in West Hollywood around 3am on 27 July.
LaBeouf was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after injuring his left hand, head and knee.
The star was attempting a left turn at the crossroads of La Brea Avenue and Fountain Avenue when he collided with an oncoming vehicle and flipped his car.


Ouch! Shia's fingernails are black due to bruising and bleeding under the skin

The contents of LaBeouf's car, including pizza boxes containing hot pizza, a brand new toilet seat in its box and a rucksack were thrown out of the car and strewn across the road.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Wolf said: 'It was immediately apparent to officers responding on the scene that LaBeouf was intoxicated and he was subsequently placed under arrest.'
LaBeouf was booked for a misdemeanour charge of driving under the influence.


Lucky escape: How Shia's overturned vehicle looked following last month's crash

His female passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were not seriously injured in the smash.
However, police spokesman Steve Whitmore announced two days after the crash that LaBeouf 'was not at fault'.
'We have strong evidence that the other driver ran a red light,' he added.

Plastered: How Shia's arm looked four days after the crash

Pictured: The shocking car wreck which left Indiana Jones star Shia LaBeouf hospitalised

Indiana Jones star Shia LaBeouf is recovering from 'extensive hand surgery' after he flipped his car during an accident in the early hours of Sunday morning.
The 22-year-old actor was arrested on a suspicion of drink driving when his Ford pick-up truck collided with another vehicle at a junction in West Hollywood around 3am.
LaBeouf was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after injuring his left hand, head and knee.


Shocking: Shia LaBeouf's Ford pick-up truck is inspected by police officers in the early hours of Sunday morning after the actor crashed it

LaBeouf was attempting a left turn at the crossroads of La Brea Avenue and Fountain Avenue when he collided with an oncoming vehicle and flipped his car.
The contents of LaBeouf's car, including pizza boxes containing hot pizza, a brand new toilet seat in its box and a rucksack were thrown out of the car and strewn across the road.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Scott Wolf said: 'It was immediately apparent to officers responding on the scene that LaBeouf was intoxicated and he was subsequently placed under arrest.'
LaBeouf was booked for a misdemeanour charge of driving under the influence.
The Transformers actor's female passenger and the driver of the other vehicle were not seriously injured in the smash.


Flipped: Shia LaBeouf's car lies upside down on the junction, with his ruined pizza dinner splattered across the pedestrian crossing


Debris: A rucksack, boxed toilet seat and pizza, among other items, were thrown out of the vehicle

The actor, who starred in this summer's blockbuster Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, is expected to take a month off work while he recovers from his hand injury.
His spokeswoman Melissa Kates said: 'Attorneys for Mr. LaBeouf confirm that an automobile accident involving an additional party occurred early morning in Los Angeles on July 27, 2008.
'Shia is currently recovering from extensive hand surgery with plans to return to work on the set of Transformers 2 within one month. No further comment will be issued at this time. '


Action man: Shia LaBeouf (R) with Harrison Ford (L) in Indiana Jones And The Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull

Meanwhile as LaBeouf recovers in hospital, his Ford 150 truck has been impounded by the LAPD as investigations into the crash continue.
The actor is set to reunite with co-star Megan Fox in the Transformers sequel Revenge Of The Fallen next month.
LaBeouf will next be seen on screen in the thriller Eagle Eye, which opens in Britain in October and co-stars Mission: Impossible III actress Michelle Monaghan

New Transformers robots unveiled... as leading lady Megan Fox says she's bored of being a sex symbol

When Shia LaBeouf's character Sam Witwicky killed villainous robot Megatron in the first Transformers film, he was hoping he could go back to his normal life.

But given that there's a sequel coming out in June entitled Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, of course the battle between good and evil was never that easy.
In the upcoming action film, Shia is reunited with his co-star Megan Fox, who plays Sam's girlfriend Mikaela Barnes.
While happy to play the stunning sidekick again in the Transformers sequel, the 22-year-old actress admits she is growing bored of playing a sex symbol.
She told Empire magazine: 'You can't be [a sex symbol] 24 hours a day. I can't be a professional celebrity or a professional sexpot. I can't do that to myself.
'I just want to work and make the right choices, and study and develop as an actress
'I don't want to be on the cover of every magazine that exists. I want to try not to do that. It's my job to show people something different.'
With only two months to go before the film's eagerly anticipated release, producers have released a list of the new robots which will go head to head with each other in the new movie.
Sam and Mikaela will join forces with the heroic Autobots to stop the Decepticons' mission to rid the world of humans so they can live off Earth's resources.
Among the new robots are mechanical jaguar Ravage, who spies on the Autobots and humans for the Decepticons, and The Doctor, a spider-like droid who tries to extract information from Sam.
Transformers screenwriter Alex Kurtzman told the USA Today newspaper: 'In the spirit of "more than meets the eye," Ravage isn’t just lethal because of his sharp teeth.


Bored: Megan Fox, pictured getting her hair done in LA on Monday, said she's sick of being cast as a sex symbol



Back to the big screen: Megan Fox as Mikaela Barnes in a scene from Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen and one of the Decepticons (aka the bad guys) called The Doctor, who will torment Shia LaBeouf's character'

There’s actually another skill set Ravage has that didn’t exist before, so there’s going to be a surprise for fans.'
A group of Decepticons also join forces to form The Devastator, who wages mass destruction on a huge scale.
Another screenwriter Roberto Orci said: 'He’s made of vehicles designed to build, and he turns into is someone who loves to destroy. He is an agent of absolute chaos.'


New villain: Mechanical jaguar Ravage works as a spy for the Decepticons


Action man: Shia LaBeouf as Sam by the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt

Director Michael Bay said executive producer Steven Spielberg was blown away by The Devastator.

Bay enthused: 'Spielberg saw it and said, "This is f**king awesome." It's always nice when you can make him swear.
'We have big guys, some little guys. We have a lot of littler ones, too. Little weirder ones. Like the Insecticons, which were giant bugs in the original series and Hasbro toy line, but are now tiny creepy-crawly infiltrator.'
In the film, the Decepticons, desperate for the information, wage war to capture Sam and the climactic battle scene takes place at the Giza pyramid complex in Egypt, where film crew were granted access to the 5,000-year-old site for the first time ever.


He's back: Sam is confronted by Megatron's second-in-command Starscream, an F2 Raptor jet

Egyptian hieroglyphics resembling helicopters in real life were also used, where they will be explained in the film as being depictions of those ancient Cybertronians who visited Earth.
The film’s Army liaison, Lt. Col. Gregory Bishop, said: 'As far as I know, this is the biggest joint military operation movie ever made, in terms of Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines. I can’t think of one that’s bigger.'
Director Bay said: 'In the sequel, humanity is still trying to sort out which Transformers can be trusted and which mean to exterminate humans.
'Authentic military personnel were hired to show just how they might actually handle an over-the-top situation like an alien robot invasion.'


The great escape: Megan, Shia, Josh Duhamel and Tyrse Gibson flee the destruction caused by the Decepticons


Setting the scene: Shia - with his bandaged hand - and director Michael Bay run through a scene

'The Pentagon gave its stamp of approval to the film and allowed production amid the dunes of the Army's New Mexico missile range.'
Shia injured his hand when he was involved in a car crash in July 2008, which disrupted filming of the $200million science fiction blockbuster.
Shia's bandaged hand was subsequently written into the plotline after Sam is left injured after a clash with a Decepticon.

• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will be released in the UK on June 24.


Keeping watch: Military officers keep watch for Decepticons activity

A senior foreign politician has claimed that Blair has been brainwashed by President Bush.

"Gee, George, Honey. Why is Tony doing backward flips outside Downing Street in his underpants?"

First he saved the world, now Brown wants to call Transformer Optimus Prime

Just weeks ago, Gordon Brown claimed that he had saved the entire world from disaster with his economic nous.
The Prime Minister's stock was rising as people looked to have decided he was the right man to lead Britain through a crippling recession.
But today, as a new poll revealed business figures' confidence in his ability to handle the crisis has slumped, Mr Brown declared that he might need a hand after all.
And it was not to Chancellor Alistair Darling that he was referring - but the Transformer Optimus Prime who he lauded for his 'great problem solving skills'.




Plea for help: Gordon Brown said he would like to meet Transformers hero Optimus Prime because he is very good at problem solving

In what appeared to be yet another attempt to ingratiate himself with the man on the street, Mr Brown said he would like to meet the machine superhero from the hit film.

Quite what he would ask the leader of 'The Autobots', who turns from a lorry into a fully-armoured robotic soldier equipped with a laser rifle, was not clear.
And the fact that the robot is from the planet Cybertron and used to doing battle with Decepticons rather than the Tories did not appear to be an issue.
The Prime Minister made the startling admission in a radio interview as he revealed his two young sons loved Transformers.
'If I could meet Optimus Prime - he seems to be able to solve most of the problems,' he said.
The Tories immediately slammed the comment. A spokesman said Mr Brown had 'more in common with the Decepticons' who are the villains in the film.

But listeners found it hilarious and decided the robot leader would be a valid asset to the Cabinet - if only he was real.

One said: 'I know he was joking but I couldn't quite believe my ears at first. Saying that, I would love to see Brown and Cameron going at it with laser cannons.
'Optimus Prime would be one hell of an advisor to the PM. He stands for honour and justice and I would vote for him as Prime Minister if he were real.'


Hit: Megan Fox and Shia LaBeouf in the 2007 Hollywood film Transformers

Mr Brown had appeared on the BBC West Midland's breakfast show to discuss the recession.

He veered on to the topic of Transformers after being asked what his children had received for Christmas and saying they were really into the machines.
The Transformers television series was a huge animated hit in the 80s and was made into a Hollywood film starring Megan Fox and Shia LeBeouf in 2007.
Hasbro, the toy company that makes Optimus Prime, describes the Autobot leader as a powerhouse force to be reckoned with.
It said: 'The greatest in a long line of Autobot leaders, Optimus Prime is a beacon of hope to those who suffer under the tyranny of Megatron.
'He is devoted to the defense of weaker creatures, and has dedicated his life to fighting against Megatron wherever he goes.
'He is unwavering in his compassion, which sometimes allows his enemies to take advantage of him, but he is also utterly without fear in the face of overwhelming odds.

'Where freedom is threatened, he is an unstoppable force, and a mighty defender of justice and right.'

Mr Brown's desire to call on fictional superheroes comes after wave upon wave of dire economic news as Britain battles its worst downturn for decades.
At the start of the crisis last autumn, Mr Brown turned his fortunes around by taking the lead on the global crisis.
He then blundered in the Commons last month by claiming he had saved the world during a vicious Prime Minister's Questions.
While defending his bail-out of the banking system, he said: 'We not only saved the world' when he meant to say the Government had saved the banks.
The gaffe prompted raucous laughter across the House, and was all the more amusing because he had earlier been likened to a superhero for taking the lead on the global economic crisis and always shrugged off the praise.
But today, a poll showed confidence among business figures in his ability to handle the recession has slumped.
The ComRes survey for the Independent showed support for Mr Brown had plunged from 42 per cent to 28.

Experts and even his own MPs are increasingly questioning measures implemented by Mr Brown and the Chancellor to boost the economy.
They are now said to be considering printing more money, on top of the ?37billion bank bail-out and ?20billion 'fiscal stimulus' package launched before Christmas.

Transformer Explosion Burns 6 Cars In Queens

An underground Consolidated Edison transformer exploded early yesterday in Queens, shooting flames several stories into the nighttime air and engulfing six cars in a spectacular fire that took more than 100 firefighters an hour to douse and kept hundreds of onlookers watching from nearby sidewalks before dawn.



The utility said that the electrical transformer, under a sidewalk just outside the sprawling Lefrak City apartment complex in Corona, blew up with nearly no warning and set fire to two cars parked several feet away on 57th Avenue near 98th Place. After the fuel tank in one car burst, the gasoline flowed westward down 57th Avenue, setting three more cars and a minivan ablaze.

Earl Wells, a spokesman for Con Edison, said such explosions were extremely rare and did not indicate a wider problem with the utility's transformers. He said the utility constantly monitored all transformers and was usually able to shut down a malfunctioning one. While transformers sometimes catch fire, the "violent ruptures of the type that happened in Queens are extremely infrequent," he added.



One firefighter suffered minor burns to the face and hands from the blaze, which did not affect electrical service in the area.

Late yesterday, Con Edison officials said it was not clear what had caused the explosion in the transformer, which stands about three feet below a sidewalk grate. Richard Mulieri, another spokesman for the utility, said inspectors would examine the transformer for possible defective parts. But he said the explosion's cause might never be determined because the five-foot tall transformer was so badly burned.

Inspectors will also review the level of power use in the neighborhood in the days before the blast to see whether a sudden rise might have overtaxed the transformer.



Yesterday morning, officials from Con Edison and the Fire Department were examining the site, their shoes and boots wrapped up in plastic. But officials said the explosion had not released any toxins in the air.

Mr. Mulieri said Con Edison's records showed that the oil insulating the transformer contained nonhazardous levels of PCB's, and that there was no asbestos present. Tests yesterday morning by the city's Department of Environmental Protection found no PCB contamination, department officials said.