Trench, Rainstorm Caused Power Pole To Fall In Downtown Lafayette

A deep trench dug by a construction crew as well as heavy rains caused a power pole to fall in downtown Lafayette, according to Pacific Gas & Electric Co. officials.

The pole toppled about 1 p.m. Wednesday and dragged another utility pole partially with it. No one was injured in the incident.

The poles were repaired Wednesday evening and they have been returned to their upright positions, said PG&E spokeswoman Tamar Sarkissian.

The incident caused 299 PG&E customers to lose power. They all had electricity back by 7:19 p.m., Sarkissian said.

The pole fell against the under-construction Merrill Gardens at Lafayette assisted living facility.

The trench was dug by a crew for Wulff Electric, which is a subcontractor on the project for SRM Development.

Wulff Electric's president has told Patch he would not comment on the incident.

SRM Development President Dee McGonigle said he agrees with PG&E's assessment that the trench was cut too close to the pole.

He said SRM is concerned the incident occurred. However, he said the overall work done by Wulff Electric has been good and the subcontractor will be allowed to finish the project.

"We're not happy whenever anything like this happens," said McGonigle. "We hope to learn from it to make sure it never happens again." 

Sarkissian said the incident doesn't need to be reported to the California Public Utilities Commission or any other agency.

No fines are expected to be levied, but those involved may have to pay for costs associated with the response and repairs, Sarkissian said.