Pocono News Section

Power Back on for Wilkes-Barre Street

Power Back on for Wilkes-Barre Street - Monday, October 29, 2007 at 5:49PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Monday, Oct 29, 2007 @05:49pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Power is back on for several buildings and businesses on South Main street. Over the weekend a cable malfunction sparked an electrical fire that knocked out power to nearly 1,000 customers.

Marquee Art and Frame General Manager Gil Edgar turns on the power at about 7 Monday morning. Edgar says he lost business when an underground cable fire caused him to closed Saturday. "I don't know what it might have been in dollars. But, these are things beyond our control. Can't do anything about that. But we're certainly grateful to the fire department and PPL for their prompt service," says Edgar.

Power is back on here and all other businesses and buildings on South Main Street. Some like Bartikowsy Jewelers remained closed while PPL crews repaired power lines. Crews are still searching for exactly why the cable failed, causing the fire.

It also knocked out power to some Wilkes University buildings. But everything was back on track today. Wilkes University spokesperson Christine Seitzenger says, "We're very happy that we're resuming our schedule again at University Center on Main with minimal interruptions to campus operations."

Wilkes had to move some weekend classes to other buildings. But students were back in those buildings today. So were workers at the Public Safety building.

PPL brought extra crews in from Harrisburg to bring the power back on, and they could continue to work here throughout the week. The street is blocked off, but people can walk on South Main Street.