FALLOWFIELD TOWNSHIP - It was like something out of a horror film - house lights turning on and off, radios coming on and even homes shaking.
That's what residents along Homewood and Friendship drives in Fallowfield Township experienced approximately 1:30 a.m. Thursday.
The incident likely involved an over voltage surge on a power line in the community. Allegheny Power crews will investigate the occurrence early next week.
That investigation is expected to reveal the identity of whomever will pay to replace a host of appliances destroyed during the power surge.
Resident Earl Robinson, who lives just below the neighborhood, said that about 1:30 a.m., he saw a spark and flashes of light from a transformer just outside his home. He then heard a series of four pops as transformers along an electrical line in a wooded area behind his home apparently blew out in a chain reaction.
At about the same time, the lights and a radio turned on in Bruce Baker's Homewood Drive home.
The apparent surge destroyed or damaged a surge protector, a large-screen television, a stereo and a radio, Baker said. He estimates his loss at approximately $2,000.
Baker said his brother, Barry, told him his Friendship Drive house shook.
"It was kind of spooky," Bruce Baker said. "The lights wavered. I've never seen a surge strong enough to turn on a radio."
Rudy Mudrick, who lives on Homewood Drive, said he lost a 27-inch TV and surge protector, which saved his high definition TV.
Mudrick said he heard a whining sound and smelled something burning.
Virginia Katinsky said she heard a sizzling sound in her Homewood Drive home. Her family is still totaling up the damage. So far, the Katinskys have lost a computer, a printer, two TVs, two VCRs and a Nintendo.
Allegheny Power spokesman Al Staggers said that, based on descriptions by the residents, an over voltage probably occurred.
A standard electric utility pole features two sets of wires. The upper set of wires has a much higher voltage level. If it touches the lower set, it can cause an over voltage, Staggers said.
Township customers who believe they experienced damage from the power surge should report their losses to Allegheny Power at (800) 255-3443, Staggers said. Damage complaints have been filed on behalf of those who have already called Allegheny Power.
Allegheny Power crews will investigate all loss claims and to determine what caused the surge. If it was caused by a tree falling on a line or a car striking a utility pole, Allegheny Power would not be responsible for restitution, Staggers said.
In such cases, residents would have to file claims with their homeowner's insurance carriers, Staggers said.
If it was caused by malfunctioning equipment, the utility would pay for damages, Staggers said.
Staggers said a tree striking a utility line caused the outage that affected township customers from 1:51 to 8:46 a.m., Staggers said. He was not sure if the incident led to the power surge.
Katinsky, who contacted Allegheny Power Friday, said she believes she was treated rudely by two company representatives.
"They said they were not even aware of the power outage in the area," Katinsky said. "It's like they're not taking responsibility for this."
Baker said he will not replace lost appliances until the power company completes it investigation.
"I think Allegheny Power ought to 'fess up," Baker said. "They owe a lot people a lot of money. They better not cover this up."
