Balloon Causes Power Failure in Burbank
A metallic balloon caused a power failure that left several hundred homes in northeast Burbank without electricity for about an hour Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
The balloon apparently became stuck between two wires about 4:40 p.m. at one of the city’s 13 electrical substations, causing a short circuit that knocked out a power line carrying 69,000 volts, said Fred Fletcher, electrical services manager.
Crews inspected the line to make sure that there was no other damage before restoring power about 5:40 p.m., Fletcher said. He was unsure how many residences were affected, but speculated that the blackout was the largest in several years.
Burbank police did not report any problems associated with the blackout.
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