Lighting struck part of a Southern California Edison Power Plant around 7 o'clock Monday, igniting a small fire, but shutting down the entire plant and prompting a massive power outage across Visalia.
Firefighters estimate the power outage spanned close to 700 square miles. 120,000 SoCal Edison customers lost power.
Firefighters explains, the transformer that blew up was immersed in mineral oil.
That oil went up in flames.
It took firefighters about an hour to put it out, before SoCal Edison crews were able to fix the plant and restore power.
It took firefighters about an hour to put it out, before SoCal Edison crews were able to fix the plant and restore power.
People who live and work and Visalia say there was chaos across town, with paramedics responding to car accidents, and people getting out of their cars in search of answers.
Tulare County Fire's command center worked using generators; fire stations that lost power communicated using walkie-talkies and pagers.
Fire Battalion Chief Mike Green called it "old school," but said, "we have to make it work."
Power Outage Update:
SoCal Edison reported some homes and businesses had power back around midnight.
A spokesman tells CBS47 most of the city's power won't be restored until the early morning hours.
Customers can check if power has been restored by visiting sce.com/outage.
Power Outage Update:
SoCal Edison reported some homes and businesses had power back around midnight.
A spokesman tells CBS47 most of the city's power won't be restored until the early morning hours.
Customers can check if power has been restored by visiting sce.com/outage.