A family in Mount Uniacke, N.S., had to seek shelter in a hotel over the weekend following an incident where a power pole on their property broke, raising concerns of a potential fire hazard. Jennifer Chiasson stated that her husband had notified Nova Scotia Power a year earlier about the deteriorating condition of the pole, which was visibly unstable when pushed. Despite acknowledging the need for repairs, the utility company did not address the issue promptly.
The family lost power on Friday night during a windstorm, and shortly after hearing a surge, they discovered the fallen pole and transformer, with sparks and flames emerging. Chiasson, prioritizing her children’s safety, immediately contacted emergency services while urging the utility provider to inform their crews on the ground about the situation. The fire department arrived to extinguish the flames, and the family relocated to a hotel due to safety concerns.
The following morning, the transformer unexpectedly surged again, leading to a repeat of the previous night’s events. Chiasson expressed disappointment in the lack of communication between emergency services and Nova Scotia Power, emphasizing the preventable nature of the incident had the pole been replaced earlier. While Nova Scotia Power issued an apology for the ordeal, they did not address inquiries regarding the delayed pole replacement or communication issues.
Despite Nova Scotia Power eventually sending crews to the site, Chiasson highlighted the frustration over the lack of proactive communication and response from the company. She stressed the unforeseen costs and environmental impact resulting from the incident, underscoring the importance of accountability and swift action from utility providers in such situations.
The family’s experience sheds light on the significance of timely infrastructure maintenance and effective communication protocols in averting potential hazards and ensuring customer safety and satisfaction.