Firefighters Shelter in Place After Power Line Snags Ladder Truck

While returning from a call at 11:26 PM, Ladder Co. 1 snagged a low-hanging power line on North Bedford Street. A tree branch had fallen and knocked the power line off of a nearby house. Firefighters did not see the low-hanging power line due to poor visibility amid a thunderstorm. 

The energized line was hooked between two lights on the aerial ladder, and Ladder 1 had no way to safely free itself. Madison Police were asked to block traffic on the 100 block of N. Bedford Street so that motorists would not be exposed to the electrical hazard.

MGE was notified of the need for assistance, and firefighters sheltered in place on the rig until MGE could respond. Due to the extreme demands on MGE during the storm, MGE could not respond for a few hours. 

Once MGE freed the wire from the ladder truck, Ladder 1 was able to return to service around 3:45 AM.