By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE cross-arm of a major power pole in Puerto Rico fell off yesterday afternoon causing blackouts in different villages on Saipan for up to 35 minutes.
Commonwealth Utilities Corp. spokeswoman Pamela Mathis said the pole’s cross-arm may have fallen off due to age and the strong wind.
“It was likely a combination of age and wind,” she said but added that quick emergency repairs on the fallen cross-arm made it possible for residents to have their power back within minutes.
The affected pole holds two circuits or two electrical feeders for Lower Base, Garapan and Middle Road.
Feeder 1, which covers Garapan, Navy Hill and the hospital, lost power around 2:05 p.m., but it was restored at 2:40 p.m.
Feeder 3 , which includes all of Puerto Rico to San Jose up to the end of Middle Road, experienced the unannounced power outage around 2:10 p.m.
CUC managed to get the power back on in the affected areas by 2:25 p.m.