Valentine's Day Balloon Causes Power Outage To 2,100 Homes

[matcom]

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MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- A Valentine's Day gift sure created some sparks here -- when it plunged 2,100 homes and businesses into the dark.

The heart-shaped metallic Mylar balloon caused an electrical outage when it drifted into an electrical substation, said Phil Miller, the general manager of Mishawaka Utilities.

"It said 'I Love You' on it," he said. "It looks like someone didn't hold onto their Valentine's gift tightly enough."

Miller said the balloon, trailing a wet string, drifted into the substation near the University Park mall in the city just east of South Bend.

The string caused a short circuit in a bank of capacitors, which are components that store electrical charges within the city's power transmission network.

The balloon "didn't look too pretty when we pulled it out of there," Miller said.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/4202714/detail.html