ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. – Seminole County firefighters shared videos of burning power lines which went down in Altamonte Springs during Hurricane Milton.
Firefighters responded around 5:49 a.m. Thursday to the 300 block of Forest Avenue, securing the roadway and monitoring the blaze from a distance, the Seminole County Fire Department said on social media.
The bulk of the fire self extinguished, the post states, adding the incident was ultimately handed over to the relevant power company.
It’s just the latest report in Central Florida of a power line causing a fire after being downed during Hurricane Milton.
[RELATED: Where Milton ranks among strongest Atlantic hurricanes | TIMELINE: Here’s when the worst of Hurricane Milton ends | Strongest winds so far in Central Florida from Hurricane Milton | Download the FREE News 6 hurricane app]
In Orlando, two cats died in a house fire Wednesday night that was sparked by a downed power line along Jeannine Court. The home was engulfed in flames by the time crews arrived and one firefighter was hospitalized in stable condition after being injured at the scene, according to the Orlando Fire Department.
If you see a downed power line, always assume that the line is live and stay far away as you call 911 to report it.
According to safety resources shared by Ocala Fire Rescue, a downed power line can energize the ground up to 35 feet away and even farther in wet conditions. You should never try to drive over a downed power line or anything in contact with them.
In the case a vehicle contacts a power line or a utility pole, its occupants are urged to stay in place unless they see fire or smoke and they should warn anyone nearby not to approach the vehicle. In the event of fire or smoke, the vehicle’s occupants should do the following:
- Do not touch the ground and the vehicle at the same time.
- Jump from the vehicle with your feet together.
- Shuffle away and avoid lifting your feet.
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