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First past the pole

NANAIMO – Thousands left without power Wednesday morning after a transformer blew near Wellington Secondary School.
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B.C. Hydro linemen start repairs to a power transformer while an adjacent power pole in foreground continues burning after a short circuit sheared off the top shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday

B.C. Hydro linemen start repairs to a power transformer while an adjacent power pole in foreground continues burning after a short circuit sheared off the top shortly before 10 a.m. Wednesday, triggering a power outage for nearly 4,000 customers throughout the Hammond Bay and Departure Bay neighbourhoods.

Ted Olynyk, B.C. Hydro spokesman, said the incident might have been caused by flashover, a condition caused by debris buildup on the pole over an extended dry period that can become conductive when rainy weather returns.



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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