by Jody Spear and Kelly Meyer –
MASON CITY – Around 8:50 PM Friday night, it was reported that a bird had possibly hit a transformer and started a fire causing parts of southwest Mason City to experience a blackout.
Mason City Police Officers were putting up barricades on 6th St SW, plus stop signs on 6th St and S. Monroe and 4th St. SW and S. Monroe.
(PHOTO: Casey’s at 6th Street SW, and some residences, were dark Friday night. Emergency responders were at the scene.)
“I’m staying with some friends,” said Monte, “just on the other side of Shopko. We have electricity, but no cable. We’re kind of backwards.” Monte was talking about living on the southeast side of Shopko and said that the side roads to South Federal were all dark.
Driving around, from 2nd or 3rd Street SW as far as 19th Street SW and South Federal and South Pierce were all experiencing a blackout.
A group of people on South Van Buren were gathered together discussing the problem and trying to figure out what was going on. They were in good humor and one said, “At least it’s not ninety degrees or forty below.”
It was still dark at 10:30 PM but power seemed to be restored by the early morning hours Saturday.
httpv://youtu.be/ExgGfNhZOgU