Power restored in downtown Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- Three hundred customers in downtown Grand Rapids were without electricity Tuesday afternoon.

Consumers Energy spokesman Tim Pietryga told 24 Hour News 8 a circuit lockout occurred just before 2:25 p.m. Tuesday at the Ellsworth Substation at the corner of Fulton Street & Market Avenue.

He said it was caused by a failed lightning arrester, which is a piece of equipment that protects facilities from lightning.

Power was restored about two hours later.

Some of the affected businesses were the downtown branch of the Grand Rapids Library and the Secretary of State's office. Some computers at the Grand Rapids Police Department were affected.

The downtown campuses for Grand Rapids Community College and Ferris State University were also affected and have closed for the rest of the day.

Thanks to this little incident Roger let us close shortly after 3 and take an early afternoon! It was GREAT. I played with Earle and took a nap!