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Power plant explosion results in Saipan-wide power outage
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Posted on Sep 01 2004
An explosion rocked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s main power plant in Lower Base yesterday morning, resulting in an islandwide power outage on Saipan.
The Emergency Operations Center reported that the explosion occurred around 6:25am, as supertyphoon Songda moved close to the Northern Islands, creating storm condition on Saipan and Tinian.
EOC public information officer Jenn Castro said the explosion caused an automatic power trip-off for power feeder lines covering Lower Base, Sadog Tasi, Kagman, Achugao, San Roque, As Matuis, Marpi and Capitol Hill—including the Governor’s Office and the Legislature.
“As a result of the explosion, the two feeders automatically shut off,” Castro said, adding that the CUC had to shut down power supply on the entire island.
The CUC investigated the cause of the explosion, but details were unavailable as of press time, Castro said.
The CUC restored power back to portions of the island. By noontime, Castro said power supply has been completely restored to pre-Songda levels.
