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Balloon Causes Power Failure in Burbank

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A metallic balloon caused a power failure that left several hundred homes in northeast Burbank without electricity for about an hour Sunday afternoon, authorities said.

The balloon apparently became stuck between two wires about 4:40 p.m. at one of the city’s 13 electrical substations, causing a short circuit that knocked out a power line carrying 69,000 volts, said Fred Fletcher, electrical services manager.

Crews inspected the line to make sure that there was no other damage before restoring power about 5:40 p.m., Fletcher said. He was unsure how many residences were affected, but speculated that the blackout was the largest in several years.

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Burbank police did not report any problems associated with the blackout.

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