Boom truck snags overhead power lines in northeast Spokane, causing hundreds of power outages

A boom truck became tangled in power lines on East Broadway Avenue on Thursday afternoon, leading to hundreds of power outages in northeast Spokane.

The commotion began at about noon Thursday when a Water Recovery Services truck with a long, extended boom lift on top became snarled in overhead power lines while headed west on East Broadway Avenue, near the East Central Neighborhood.

When the truck eventually stopped, its front end was suspended in the air, but not before uprooting several power poles along the way. Its occupants waited inside due to the possibility of live wires, said Michele Anderson, public safety communications manager for Spokane.

Kelly Conley, senior communications manager for Avista, said 275 customers lost power, though within an hour it was down to 12. Crews worked throughout the day to replace the downed poles.

Avista reported the power poles and lines were expected to be fixed and working at about 4 a.m. Friday. As of Thursday evening, 12 customers were without power, according to the company’s online power outage map.

The truck was apparently headed west out of the OXARC Inc., 4003 E. Broadway Ave., parking lot when it hit the overhead lines.

By 1:30 p.m., the truck’s driver and passenger were safely removed from the vehicle before Avista untangled the wires. No injuries were reported.

Broadway Avenue between Alki Street and Havana Street were closed for several hours.

SPD spokesman John O’Brien said the driver of the truck was cited.