PERRY, Ohio — A downed power line in Perry triggered a fire that set several used cars ablaze earlier this week.
According to the Perry Joint Fire District, crews responded to a call of a power line down and multiple cars on fire at Saunders Motor Company on North Ridge Road at around 4:45 p.m. Monday.
While firefighters set up a safety zone due to the live power line, crews from Painesville City Power and The Illuminating Company were called to assist at the scene. North Ridge Road was closed in both directions due to fire hydrants being on the north side of the street, while the fire was on the south side.
Meanwhile, Lake County Sheriff's deputies were able to redirect traffic away from the fire. "Without their quick response and assistance, members from an already short crew would have been needed to redirect traffic," officials from Perry Joint Fire District wrote on Facebook.
Firefighters discovered that the downed line that was arching on a car at the dealership was part of a "3 phase line system," meaning no water could be applied until the high voltage line could be rendered safe.
"Due to the high winds of the afternoon, many powerline crews were out on other down lines causing a delay in the power company's response," Perry fire officials added.
By 5:48 p.m., or approximately one hour after the call came to Perry Joint Fire District, power company crews arrived at the scene and were able to render the power line safe. Firefighters then went to work to put out the flames engulfing six used cars. The fire was under control just before 6 p.m. and North Ridge was reopened by 7:08 p.m.
No injuries were reported as a result of the fire. In addition to the six cars that caught fire, one power pole also sustained damage.
You can see photos from the scene below:
