Thunderstorm cuts power, starts two fires

A thunderstorm disabled parts of Cape Girardeau Monday early evening by downing power lines, sparking two small house fires and cutting off power to about 4,000 electric customers.

The 3 1/2-hour power loss started shortly after 5 p.m. when a Clark Avenue substation with 34,000-volt transmission lines suffered storm damage, said AmerenUE spokesman George Sheppard. Small explosions were reported seen at the transformer box.

"When you have a substation go out like that, you take out a large number of customers out at the same time," Sheppard said.

Lightning struck a home at 211 S. Park, starting a small attic fire, and also ignited a roof fire at 139 S. Spanish, said fire Capt. Bob Kembel. Both homes suffered moderate damage.

The bulk of the storm's wind and rain played out within 40 minutes. Police chief Steve Strong directed traffic away from the fallen power lines at Clark Avenue, enlisting the help of a resident to block traffic with a car. Power lines were also reported down on Cape Rock and other locations.

A fallen tree limb blocked traffic on the 600 block of South Sprigg. Moderate flooding was reported at Themis, Silver Springs and the intersection of Independence and West End Boulevard. Traffic lights were out at the intersections of Broadway and Kingshighway, William and St. Francis and William and Silver Springs. City crews placed temporary stop signs at some locations.