Duke Energy power equipment in Durham found damaged from gunfire after power outage, police say [View all]
Source: Spectrum News NY1/AP
PUBLISHED 6:33 PM ET Jun. 13, 2024
DURHAM, N.C. — Damage to a utility's power equipment by gunfire found in Durham was associated with an outage that left hundreds of customers without power earlier this week, the company said. About 730 customers experienced a power outage for about two hours Monday after reports of a “fire and equipment failure” on Duke Energy's power distribution grid, spokesperson Jeff Brooks said in an email.
A day later, the Durham Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, responded to an area in southeast Durham after receiving a call about the damaged power equipment, according to a police statement. The company's workers told officers that the equipment had been damaged by gunfire within the past week.
Damage from the gunfire caused a “slow oil leak” from the power equipment, which ultimately led to a fire, police said. The incident is under investigation and no one had been arrested as of Thursday. While Duke Energy verified the damage was associated with the outage, Brooks said the company hasn't confirmed what ultimately led to the equipment failing and is waiting until the investigation is completed.
“We have been working to strengthen our electric grid to make it more resistant to extended outages from severe weather, as well as physical and cyber threats,” Brooks said. “We are also improving the resiliency of the grid to help restore power faster when a disruption occurs.” Officials didn't specify what kind of equipment was damaged. The incident comes as North Carolina lawmakers have advanced legislation to toughen penalties for people who carry out attacks on infrastructure such as public water sites and manufacturing facilities.
Read more: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nc/charlotte/news/2024/06/13/duke-energy-power-equipment-in-durham-found-damaged-from-gunfire-after-power-outage--police-say
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