MVA Causes Pole to Snap

On Tuesday, October 17, DCFD responded to a call of an MVA at 258 Shore Road at 18:23. E2 and Car 8 were able to respond quickly, as they were at the Shore Rd./Langworthy Road Intersection in response to a separate wires arcing call, which was then handled by E4.

Upon arrival, E2 found that a Volvo had lost control on the wet road and slid into a telephone pole and its guy wire. As a result, the pole snapped at the center, leaning over the road with live high-voltage wires hanging approximately 10 feet over the travel lanes.

E2 and Car 8 in conjunction with the Westerly Police Dept. immediately closed Shore Road and had the dispatch center contact National Grid. Due to DCFD handling 2 other calls simultaneously, Misquamicut Fire Dept. was also called to assist with closing Shore Road on the westerly side of the incident.

One victim was transported to Westerly Hospital by the Westerly Ambulance Corps. DCFD stood by to maintain road closure and to keep a safe area around the felled pole, as there were multiple fuse/transformer explosions due to the fire and arcing of the lines.

At approximately 21:15 National Grid crews arrived to replace the pole and took command of the scene, and all DCFD units cleared.