Broken electrical conductor causes fire, power outage

Jamestown (CSi) — The Jamestown City Fire Department was called to  two shed fires about 2:35 p.m., Monday that was caused by a broken electrical conductor.

The conductor fell between two sheds located in the rear of properties at 410 4^th Avenue Northwest, and 403 and a half 3rd Avenue Northwest which caused the sheds to catch fire.

Otter Tail Power Company, Jamestown Operations Director, Charles Krebs says about 820 Otter Tail customers were without electricity, the majority between 2:27 p.m. and 2:42 p.m. He said, late Monday afternoon a handful of Northwest Jamestown customers were without power, and they were expected to come back on line by 5-p.m.

He said the location was difficult to reach to replace the conductor, requiring a special piece of equipment to be brought in that was out of town.

City Fire Department Lt. Sheldon Mohr says no other structures were involved, with the sheds extensively damaged.

No injuries reported with five city fire units and 32 fire fighters on the scene about an hour.