Feb 4, 2008 8:46 am US/Central
'SpongeBob' Knocks Out Power To Thousands In Mass.
YARMOUTH, Mass. (CBS) ―
Thousands of people who lost power on the Cape over the weekend can blame SpongeBob SquarePants.
According to several published reports a metallic balloon of the popular cartoon character is to blame for knocking out power about 4,000 people in Yarmouth and Hyannis on Sunday, CBS station WBZ-TV in Boston reported.
Officials say the balloon drifted into some power wires, causing the breakers to be tripped and knocking out the power.
Witnesses told the Cape Cod Today that when the balloon hit the wires it caused a loud explosion and two of the three wires fell to the ground.
Several transformers and fuses in the area also reportedly blew.
Crews were able to restore power to most people within a couple of minutes, but some 235 customers were without power until the early afternoon reports the Cape Cod Times.
The good news is everyone had power back in time for the Super Bowl.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
