FORT SMITH (KFSM) – Sparking power lines caused power outages for 1,670 Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E) customers in Fort Smith on Tuesday (July 29), officials say.
Fort Smith firefighters were called out to South 25th Street and Louisville Street at approximately 3 p.m. when callers said they heard an “explosion,” according to officials.
When authorities arrived, they found power lines arcing and several small grass fires, officials said.
A cross arm supporting a high voltage line dropped, causing that line to hit another line below it. That caused sparks to fly, according to Rob Ratley with OG&E.
Crews were dispatched to re-route power and make repairs, and they should have it restored soon, according to Ratley.
Ratley said the support failure could be a delayed problem from the storms that blew through last week.