In Coral Gables, Florida, a sudden power line failure led to a significant incident early Friday morning, causing two vehicles to burn and leaving nearly 1,400 residents without electricity. The event unfolded around 6:00 a.m. when a live wire snapped and fell on Ferdinand Street, igniting a fire and impacting the local community.
According to official reports, the power line collapse occurred near Southwest 57th Avenue, where it fell directly onto two parked cars. The ensuing fire prompted a rapid response from Coral Gables Fire Rescue, who arrived promptly on the scene. Their priority was to contain the flames and ensure the safety of residences nearby. They were joined by crews from the Florida Power and Light company, who made the critical decision to shut down the local power grid. This preventative measure was deemed necessary to avoid further damage and ensure public safety.
The incident happened while residents were inside their homes; fortunately, no injuries have been reported. However, the fire did affect a part of a homeowner’s garage, underscoring the potential risk such incidents pose. The homeowner later expressed gratitude towards the fire department, highlighting the effectiveness and speed of their intervention in preventing a more catastrophic situation.
Aerial footage captured by 7Skyforce illustrated the severity of the situation, showing the vehicles extensively charred and shrouded in fire suppressant foam, with residual smoke still visible. While the fire was brought under control, questions remain about the integrity and maintenance of the power lines, prompting Florida Power and Light to initiate a detailed investigation into the cause of the line snap.
Despite the challenges faced, the utility company has assured residents that efforts are underway to restore power swiftly. Linemen continue to work diligently in the affected area to reconnect homes and businesses to the grid. The outage has highlighted the reliance on modern infrastructure and the immediate impact on a community when complications arise.
As Coral Gables residents await the restoration of electricity, the incident stands as a reminder of the vulnerabilities within urban power systems. The cooperation between emergency services and utility providers was crucial in managing this disruption and ensuring public safety. Future investigations by the power company will be key to preventing similar events from occurring.
Source: WSVN
