Electricity was cut off on South College Street Thursday night when a power line fell and set fire to the ridge next to Walmart at the intersection of Longleaf Drive and College Street.
Firefighters worked for more than an hour to contain the blaze by digging a shallow trench around the affected area, allowing the fire to die out on its own until power could be cut off from the fallen line.
Eventually water was brought in to extinguish the remaining flames and saturate the ground to prevent more flames from starting.
While Walmart retained power throughout the event, many residents and businesses near College Street lost power as workers attempted to isolate the area that contained the fallen line.
Officials say they are unable to determine why the line fell, but are looking into the issue.
Throughout the event, the blaze drew a continuous crowd of bystanders who raced up the hill near the Walmart parking lot to catch a glimpse of the action.
Tag Galvin, junior in professional flight management, said he left his apartment at The Exchange when his power went out, and drove up the road where he quickly found out what the problem was. While many of the businesses on College Street regained power shortly after the fire was put out, no word has been given to Galvin and others who live close to the fallen line about when their power will be regained.
"Well, this sure put a jolt into my week," Galvin said.
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