Company: Squirrel Causes 1,900 Power Outages In Frederick

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- A power company spokesman says a squirrel was the cause of 1,900 power outages in the city of Frederick.

FirstEnergy Corp spokesman Eyad Gheith tells The Frederick News-Post that an animal contact incident occurred Saturday afternoon at a substation.

Gheith says it was a squirrel which caused a circuit lockout. Gheith says in turn, that caused a transformer go out, which lead to the power outages.

Crews were working to replace the transformer that afternoon. Gheith says customers could expect power to be restored by 5 p.m.

Gheith didn't know the condition of the squirrel.