Westar Energy crews had quite the evening, thanks to two power outages in the same area, less than two hours apart Thursday evening.
The first outage occurred around 7 pm after an SUV crashed into a power pole. According to Emporia Police Sgt. DJ Dragonas, a 2005 Toyota Pacifica was westbound on 18th and missed a turn onto West Wilman Court, striking a utility pole head-on.
The power outage affected nearly 400 Westar customers from the west quarter of Emporia’s Country Club property west to Lincoln and south to 15th Ave. No injuries were reported and the driver’s name has not been released. Westar crews had power restored within 30 minutes of the incident.
Less than 25 minutes after the power was restored, Emporia Fire crews were called out to the same area after the previously mentioned pole’s utility lines caught fire. Power was shut off, again affecting almost 400 customers for roughly an hour, as Westar crews worked to repair the damage. Crews had power restored shortly before 9 pm.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the fire was a direct result of the car accident from earlier in the evening.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for more updates.
7:45 pm Thursday: Utility lines catch fire near source of Country Club-area power outage
Emporia Fire has now joined the list of agencies responding to the source point of a power outage affecting the Emporia Country Club area.
Firefighters had to respond to 18th and West Wilman Court after utility lines caught fire around 8 pm. The fire knocked out power to 388 Westar Energy customers in the West quarter of the Country Club Property West to Lincoln and south to 15th Ave. The estimated time of restoration is now 10:00 p.m.
The utility fire followed a non-injury vehicle crash into a pole at the intersection that shut down power to 388 Westar customers. Westar and Emporia Police responded to the initial incident, with officers blocking through traffic at the intersection briefly.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the lines that caught fire were connected to the pole that was damaged in the wreck earlier in the evening. Power was back online for less than 25 minutes before the fire developed.
Stay with KVOE and KVOE.com for updates.
7:20 pm Thursday: Nearly 400 Westar customers affected by power outage after SUV hits pole
Power is out for nearly 400 Westar Energy customers in Emporia’s Country Club neighborhood after an SUV crashed into a power pole Thursday evening.
Emporia Police Sgt. DJ Dragonas says the vehicle was westbound on 18th and tried to turn south onto West Wilman Court. The driver completely missed the intersection and hit the pole head-on.
No injuries were reported. The driver’s name is not being released until Friday at the earliest.
Emporia Police have shut off through traffic at the intersection until power can be restored and the pole can be stabilized. Power could be restored as soon as 8 pm.
Stay with KVOE, KVOE.com and KVOE social media for updates.
