Power Pole Falls Into New Building In Downtown Lafayette

A power pole fell into an under-construction building in downtown Lafayette during Wednesday afternoon's rainy weather.

The pole toppled and pulled another pole partially down shortly before 1 p.m. on Second Street near the corner of Mt. Diablo Boulevard, according to Lafayette Police Sgt. Howard Shiells.

Shiells said a transformer exploded right before the pole fell. No one was injured in the incident.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power to 170 customers and sent a team to assess the damage and determine the cause.

The power shutdown affected residents in the neighborhood as well as a handful of businesses along Mt. Diablo Boulevard, including McDonald's and the Cheese Steak Shop.

PG&E spokeswoman Nicole Liebelt said they hoped to have electricity returned to customers by 4:15 p.m. They need to reroute power around the affected area.

She said the assessment team will determine if the pole needs to be repaired or replaced.

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

Second Street was closed off for two hours, but it reopened about 3 p.m.

How the pole fell is still undetermined. However, there is a freshly dug trench next to the fallen pole.

Patch left a message at the offices of Merrill Gardens, but no one has replied yet.

Wulff Electric is a subcontractor on the site. Company President Richard Wulff told Patch he would not have "no comment on the incident" and then hung up.