Fairhope, Alabama
MORPHY SUBSTATION DAMAGED
Electric Department Manger Scot Sligh said a cat climbed onto equipment at the city's substation at the corner of Morphy Ave. and Church St. in the early morning hours this past weekend -- causing power outages throughout downtown-area neighborhoods, including city hall, the sewer plant, and the police station.
The cat climbed up on a voltage regulator and "shorted out" 12,000 volt conductors, creating a "pretty good sized fireball."
Sligh said it was hot enough to melt porcelain insulators.
Electrtricy was soon rerouted, but the substation is out of commission until replacement parts can be obtained; additional devices to prevent animal encroachment are being considered as well.
The city's insurance carrier should cover most of the repairs.
Mayor Kant said other animals, squirrels and birds, have been a problem -- but not cats.
Kant: "That's a first."
The remains were buried on city property near the Pubic Works Building, according to Sligh.
No identification tags were found.
MORPHY SUBSTATION DAMAGED
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| Morphy Ave. substation |
Electric Department Manger Scot Sligh said a cat climbed onto equipment at the city's substation at the corner of Morphy Ave. and Church St. in the early morning hours this past weekend -- causing power outages throughout downtown-area neighborhoods, including city hall, the sewer plant, and the police station.
The cat climbed up on a voltage regulator and "shorted out" 12,000 volt conductors, creating a "pretty good sized fireball."
Sligh said it was hot enough to melt porcelain insulators.
Electrtricy was soon rerouted, but the substation is out of commission until replacement parts can be obtained; additional devices to prevent animal encroachment are being considered as well.
The city's insurance carrier should cover most of the repairs.
Mayor Kant said other animals, squirrels and birds, have been a problem -- but not cats.
Kant: "That's a first."
The remains were buried on city property near the Pubic Works Building, according to Sligh.
No identification tags were found.
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| Mayor Kant |
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