Squirrel Takes Out Power – Again

Errant animal cuts power in Manassas

Utility officials are blaming a power outage in Manassas, Va., on a squirrel.

The News & Messenger reported that a wide section of the city lost power Monday for about 35 minutes after a squirrel strayed across equipment at the Battery Heights substation.

The power went out at about 1:15 p.m. and was restored to most residents by 1:50 p.m., according to the director of city utilities, Michael Moon. He said city officials take precautions to keep animals off sensitive equipment but sometimes they get through.

This is by no means the first time a squirrel has caused a power outage in our region. Downtown Bethesda lost power on June 6. At the time, a Pepco spokesman said a trespassing squirrel at a power substation tripped an underground feeder circuit.

In February the city of Vienna lost power because of a squirrel. And in November 2008, thousands of people in Richmond lost power when a squirrel caused a short circuit at a substation.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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