Brief power outage caused by broken insulator

A power outage in Cape Girardeau on Friday knocked out electricity to 758 customers, including Alma Schrader Elementary School. According to AmerenUE spokesman Mike Cleary, the outage occurred in the area near the Kingsway Drive and Kingshighway intersection.

Cleary said that around 8:10 a.m. an insulator broke, causing a power line to come in contact with a crossarm of a utility pole and catch on fire. By 9:09 a.m. crews had restored power to all customers.

Alma Schrader principal Ruth Ann Orr said the outage did not affect the routine of the school schedule. Power at the school was restored by 8:45 a.m.

"I used it as a teaching opportunity for what it was like in 1910 instead of 2010," Orr said.

Pertinent address:

1360 Randol Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO