Power flash reported near Athens Hill; utility notified

6 updates

10/12/2026 10:31 AM

Fire

Athens, WV

Power flash reported near Athens Hill; utility notified

A power flash from a utility pole was reported near Athens Hill along Route 20. Responders found no lines visibly down and asked AEP to investigate.

Not an official report. AI-summarized timeline based on public sources. Verify with official channels.

Incident Timeline

Oct 12, 2026 · 10:31 AM PT

Caller reports power flash at residence on Hinton Road

00:14

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

Sir, we just got a call at (number withheld) Hinton Road.

00:02

There, she said a female went out and got in her car, and she said that she heard a noise and she saw power shoot out of a pole onto the ground and she felt it in her legs.

00:11

We're paging out the fire department.

00:12

I just wanted you to be aware.
10:32 AM

Units discuss transformer flash and caller location

00:11

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

Yeah, we had a power flash out at the transformer, buddy.

00:03

That's probably what you're running to.

00:05

10-4. I figured she might be a little upset.

00:09

I'll check on her.
10:33 AM

Athens Fire dispatched to area of Hinton Road and East Broadway

00:14

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

station 101 , Athens Volunteer Fire Department.

00:03

Need units to respond in the area of (number withheld) Hinton Road.

00:07

This should be right near the intersection of Hinton Road and East Broadway.
10:35 AM

Caller’s residence described near top of Athens Hill

01:20

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

Did she live at (number withheld) by chance?

00:02

She said she was at (number withheld) Hinton Road.

00:04

I'll call her back and see if she can see you.

00:06

Yeah, it doesn't go up that high here in Athens.

00:08

The old Hinton Road.

00:09

Two (number withheld) loading around.

00:11

She said that she's the last house at the top of Athens Hill when you're going out of town.

00:15

Okay, ten four.

00:16

I'm on actual

00:17

Old Hinton Road.

00:18

I'll get back on 20 there.

00:19

Ten four, yeah.

00:20

Yes, sir. Call received 1301.

00:24

Dispatch to arrive scene 1303.

00:27

Support scene 1336.

00:31

Trip number will be 12630.

00:35

12630.

00:38

Control 155.

00:39

Go ahead.

00:40

She's giving me an old Chevy Blazer.

00:41

House is a white house with a green metal roof.

00:43

10-4.

00:44

All right, control, it's gonna be right here on 20.

00:46

I'll be out.
10:41 AM

Responders contact caller and assess power line area

00:24

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

This lady's out of her car here.

00:03

She's saying she did see power come down off the main line here to the ground.

00:06

Would you let AP know that this happened at line 100, pole two? That's the pole number.

00:12

10-4. We don't see any lines visibly down or anything out of the ordinary here.

00:15

10-4.
10:41 AM

Dispatch coordinates with power company for follow-up

00:27

Mercer County Public Safety and WV State Police

This transcript is auto-generated from live dispatch audio and may be incomplete or inaccurate.

00:00

Control, they're going to advise AEP.

00:02

It came from this pole, but there's no transformer here.

00:04

It struck the yard somewhere,

00:06

but we can't find the evidence of it.

00:07

Control 814 and route page traffic.

00:10

10-4, I'm going to call and let them know about all this.

00:12

10-4, ma'am. Do you need a pole number?

00:13

10-4, Athens Fire gave me line 100, pole two.

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Power flash reported near Athens Hill; utility notified

Incident Timeline

Caller reports power flash at residence on Hinton Road

Units discuss transformer flash and caller location

Athens Fire dispatched to area of Hinton Road and East Broadway

Caller’s residence described near top of Athens Hill

Responders contact caller and assess power line area

Dispatch coordinates with power company for follow-up

Help the community verify