Oxford Village Dispatch once again found itself without power and running on a generator – and this one couldn’t be blamed on Old Man Winter.
Around 9:10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, a downed primary electrical line, located around 44 Park St., caused several customers to lose power for about four hours.
The cause of the power outage was discovered when a resident stopped Oxford Police Chief Mike Neymanowski and described seeing smoke from behind a house on Park St.
The Oxford Fire Department located the downed power line and determined there was no immediate danger. The area was roped off and officials contacted DTE Energy.
Scott Simon, a spokesman with DTE Energy said that around 12 customers were without service in the area. The list included Oxford Elementary, Daniel Axford Elementary, Oxford Public Library, Oxford Village and Oxford Township offices, the village police department and Oxford Twp. Parks and Rec.
Oxford Schools Superintendent Virginia Brennan-Kyro stated that the schools were able to remain open despite the power outage. Officials were able to establish communications through cells phones and both buildings retained running water. Also, the lunch rooms were able to adjust to the situation.
The Oxford Village Dispatchers had no difficulties during the outage. A few minor power surges throughout the morning let them know DTE Energy was on top of the problem.
By 10:00 a.m., a crew was working on the line, and power was restored to everyone by 1:25 p.m.