Crow blamed for Cape Ann power outage

GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- National Grid has busted the culprit responsible for a fire at an electrical substation that knocked out power to about 4,300 customers on Cape Ann on Christmas Eve -- a crow.

Utility spokeswoman Jackie Barry says the bird apparently hopped from one piece of equipment to another, inadvertently conducting electricity and triggering a small fire that led to the blackout early Saturday morning.

Power was out to customers in Gloucester, Rockport and Manchester for about two hours.

Barry tells the Gloucester Daily Times that small animals often cause problems, although a crow is unusual.

The crow won't face any punishment -- its remains were found by a cleanup crew.

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