35,000 lose power after station explosion

COLUMBUS (AP) -- An explosion at a power station early Monday sent balls of fire and smoke billowing into the air and knocked out power to about 35,000 American Electric Power customers.
Many traffic lights on the city's north side also did not have power, slowing rush-hour traffic.
Six families were forced from their homes while officials made sure the fire was not emitting harmful fumes, and several nearby schools without power were closed, firefighters said.
The families were allowed back in their homes within an hour of the 5:30 a.m. explosion, Fire Department spokeswoman Kelly McGuire said.
At least six officers worked to keep traffic flowing, but there were no reports of accidents at intersections where the lights were not functioning, Lt. Brent Mull said.
The explosion of two transformers was caused by two power lines coming into contact with each other, arson investigators determined.
Firefighters using foam, more effective in fighting electrical fires, had the fire under control in about two hours.
As of Monday afternoon, 26,000 customers remained without power, AEP said.