Squirrel knocks out power to 1,700 customers in Menlo Park trapping two people in elevators
An explosion and a fire alarm Tuesday evening at 1275 Crane Street was followed by a broader power outage, with people calling out that they were trapped in an elevator.
Local residents on Crane Street told Fire Captain Seth Johnson that they heard a loud explosion, the power immediately went out in the area, and they found a Grey Squirrel lying in the gutter and smoldering.
Fire crews performed elevator rescues at both 1275 and 1331 Crane Street where each elevator contained a single trapped occupant. Both were freed within 20 minutes after the power went out and reported no further issues.
PG&E responded within 30 minutes, and power was restored to all 1,700 customers by just after 8:00 pm, including to some businesses in nearby downtown Menlo Park.
PG&E representatives believed the squirrel had tried to bite into the power line causing an electrical arch and explosion that knocked the power out and killed the squirrel.
Craig K August 17, 2016 at 5:19 pm
Well, there you have your tax dollars at work……MPFD put out that “smoldering squirrel”! You would have thought they could have tried to revive the poor squirrel providing their expertise in emergency medical techniques? Squirrels have rights you know!!!
J. Mello August 22, 2016 at 8:54 am
All in a day’s work? Poor squirrel.