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FREDON -- A blown fuse on a utility pole on Route 94 in the township lit up the sky on Sunday night, causing more than 800 residents to lose power for roughly two hours.
At 9:30 p.m., New Jersey State Police, Jersey Central Power and Light and the Fredon Fire Department responded to the intersection of Route 94 northbound and Yellow Frame Road for what was initially reported as a car versus pole incident, according to New Jersey State Police Trooper Alejandro Goez.
It was quickly determined no vehicle was involved and instead, a piece of equipment on a utility pole had failed and brought down a primary, live power line, according to Chris Eck, a spokesman with Jersey Central Power and Light.
Eck said the equipment failure caused a fuse to blow, which could "sound like a gunshot" and cause a big flash of light and a residual electrical fire.
At the height of the explosion, 815 customers in Fredon were without power, Eck said.
On Facebook, multiple residents indicated they saw a "red flashing light" and reported power was out in portions of Bear Brook Village, Fredon Marksboro, Fredonia, Middleville, Ridge, Hunt's Pond and Kohlbocker roads.
Power was restored to all by 11:09 p.m.
Goez indicated the road was closed in both directions as crews worked on the live power lines but the road re-opened at 11:20 p.m.
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