Report Number: 05-0000191
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
Responded to a wires arcing call during a thunderstorm. Upon arrival we found a tree limb had broken and come into contact with a high voltage primary line and was burning. It was a small limb, maybe 1 1/2" in diameter. We were concerned the primary line would break and fall into the street or front yards of the nearby homes. A firefighter was sent to retrieve scene tape to cordon off the area. As he was marking off the area he went to tie one end of the scene tape to a large tree. Just before he reached the tree another firefighter noticed it was the same tree that was in contact with the power line. The second firefighter thought that since the tree was wet it could be carrying a charge. He yelled at the firefigher with the scene tape and stopped him from touching the tree.
We retrieved our voltage detector from the Engine and when we came near the tree it went into alarm indicating a current. Our voltage detector alarms between 50 and 600 volts. When the power company representative arrived to repair the power line we inquired about the tree being electrified. He said it's impossible to tell just how bad of a shock would have been delivered, however it's always best to err on the side of caution.
Lesson Learned
Take extra care and time to size up the situation when electricity is involved, even when the call seems routine and mundane.
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