2,500 lose power in Pequot Lakes, Pine River areas

More than 2,500 Minnesota Power customers were without power Thursday afternoon in the Pequot Lakes and Pine River areas after equipment failed at a power substation.

Nancy Norr, Minnesota Power spokeswoman, said the equipment failure happened shortly after 4 p.m. Thursday and affected 2,600 customers. By 4:40 p.m. power was restored to 2,000 customers, with the remainder restored by 5:20 p.m.

Norr said it wasn't immediately known what piece of equipment failed at the substation.

"It was not a severe problem," Norr said. "It was a simple equipment failure and the equipment was replaced.

"Hopefully we won't have any other issues," Norr said.

Char Kinzer, Crow Wing Power public relations manager, said some of her company's customers also were without power because of the Minnesota Power equipment failure.

MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.