By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Department deputies are searching for the semi-truck they believed caused thousands of dollars in damage and triggered a blackout in Ashtabula Township late Wednesday morning.
Deputies said a truck apparently snagged a line at the intersection of Middle and State roads, setting off a chain reaction that caused an explosion, fire and loss of power to nearly 1,500 customers.
Deputies checked with local industries regarding trucks that may have left their businesses at the time of the incident, according to a report. None reported any oversized vehicles that had left their addresses, deputies said.
There are no witnesses to the incident and no suspects at this time, deputies said.
Investigators believe a truck that was either oversized or carrying a tall load, traveling west on Middle Road, hooked a communications line near the intersection. As the truck continued to move, the line was stretched, putting stress on other lines and nearby utility poles. When the first line snapped, other lines began to wiggle, causing two wires to cross and spark.
A transformer exploded and fire resulted, authorities said. Flames eventually spread to a nearby field, firefighters said.
The incident burned a sizable amount of wire and damaged several utility poles, deputies said. Communications service to a handful of industries was disrupted by the fire.
Damage to the communications wires and equipment was estimated at $150,000, deputies said.
