Electrical fire, power outage
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Flames, smoke and a power outage that affected nearly 7,500 Xcel customers struck Minot shortly before 2 p.m. Friday.
When Minot firemen responded to the intersection of East Central Avenue and Third Street they discovered a burning transformer atop a wooden power pole. The power pole was engulfed in flames and electrical wires were burning in the street below. In the midst of it all was a fire hydrant on the corner of Pomp's, formerly the Firestone Store.
Firemen backed away from the smoke and flames, keeping clear of the downed power lines while taking necessary precautions to ensure the fire remained in the street. Pomp's was evacuated in the interest of safety as the flames were near that structure.
According to Xcel Energy, the trouble began in an underground feeder cable. Wires were down from the 100 -400 blocks of East Central Avenue. A reported 7,465 customers in Minot, Berthold, Des Lacs, and Burlington were affected by the power outage. Power was restored to all but 163 customers as of 4:30 p.m. Friday.
A spokesman for Xcel said that due to the extent of the damage Xcel mobilized resources from outside the Minot area to assist with restoration efforts.
No injuries were reported.