DURHAM — Air conditioners stopped abruptly Wednesday morning leaving Durham residents sweltering in 90-plus degree temperatures.
According to State Trooper Eric Paquette, a tractor-trailer was delivering a load of hay to a horse farm on Newell Brook Road when the truck snagged a low-hanging power line, knocking out power.
The weight of the wire caused the top of a utility pole to snap, Paquette said, adding there was no damage to the truck because there was no contact with the pole. He estimated repairs to the pole and wires could run into the thousands.The incidents occurred shortly after 10 a.m. and power was not restored until just before 3 p.m.
According to a spokesman at Durham Community School, students were uncomfortable, but classes were not canceled. Some areas of the school had emergency power, including the office, and there was water for the bathrooms.
Durham Fire and Rescue provided traffic control as the road was closed while crews made repairs.
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