Utility Pole Explosion Startles Students During Storm

A recent electrical storm, which possibly caused a utility pole box to explode, disrupted a sixth-grade phys ed class at Reed Intermediate School this week. As a result, letters were sent home to the 25 students’ parents explaining the incident.

“The students were running the mile for the state’s physical education class requirement,” explained Reed Intermediate School Principal Donna Denniston. According to the class’s teacher, Ryan Carey, the students went outside in clear weather. Soon after they began running, however, the sky grew darker and a distinctive rumbling could be heard, accompanied by steadily stronger rain.

“By that time the kids were spread out across the field,” said Ms Denniston. “Mr Carey immediately began waving the kids back to him. But it took some time, since they were spread out pretty far.” Once the students were gathered, they were immediately ushered back into the building.

Mr Carey soon learned that some students witnessed a utility pole box exploding on the far end of the field. The exact cause of the explosion has not been officially determined, although it is widely speculated that the pole was struck by lightning.

“After the storm passed about halfway through class they went back outside and finished their run,” Ms Denniston said. “Although it was still overcast, it wasn’t raining.”

Mr Carey is writing a letter to the class’s families about the incident, she said.