Squirrel causes power outage, traps people in elevators

Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A squirrel was blamed for a power outage in Virginia that left nearly 600 customers without power and trapped several people in elevators.

Appalachian Power said the outage, which began about 9:20 a.m. Monday, was caused when a squirrel came into contact with equipment at the 7th Street substation in Roanoke.

The incident knocked out power to nearly 600 customers and emergency workers said several people were subsequently rescued from elevators, including one person stranded near the sixth floor of a building.

Power was restored about 11:30 a.m. Monday.