What started as a peaceful Sunday dinner with company enjoying pork chops, chicken thighs, and mashed potatoes quickly became dangerous when a giant pine branch unexpectedly snapped, breaking a hydro line leading to a home at 1044 Premier Road in the City’s south end.
The homeowner told BayToday there were no injuries, but he was “blown away” when he found out what happened, because winds were calm.
Midway through the 6 p.m. meal, the family heard a loud “Pop, Pop. Pop.” and the power went out.
Not knowing what was happening, they fled the house and called 911.
A witness says she was in her car and saw the branch break, then three loud pops, and lots of smoke. She said the falling wires narrowly missed a bicyclist passing by on the roadway.
Fire crews were quickly on scene, climbing to the roof and making sure the hydro stack wouldn’t start a fire by pulling back shingles and spraying soapy water inside. Other firefighters kept spectators away from live wires.
Both lanes of traffic were blocked, trapping those on the south half of Premier.
The homeowner said there was no wind at the time and that he’d seen the tree survive severe storms without damage in the past.