SEEK ALTERNATE ROUTES: Newbury Police and Fire Respond After Multiple Utility Poles Damaged on Central Street

NEWBURY — The Newbury Police and Fire Departments are currently on scene of an incident in which two poles were sheared off and several others damaged along a heavily-travelled portion of Central Street. 

On Monday, May 4, at 5:06 p.m., the Newbury Police and Fire Departments were notified by 911 call that several utility poles were damaged in the area of Central Street and Church Street. 

First responders arrived to discover that two utility poles were completely sheared off, while several others were significantly damaged and left unstable. Multiple wires are down in the area. 

There are no reported injuries. National Grid is reporting a power outage in the area affecting 60 customers.

A preliminary investigation determined that it appears a tractor trailer got caught on a wire and pulled down wires and poles before leaving the area. 

The Georgetown Fire Department provided mutual aid assistance at the scene, and firefighters from Rowley are covering a Newbury Fire station. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has been notified of the incident because material from a transformer that was on one of the poles is leaking. That leak has been contained by Newbury firefighters. 

Motorists are advised to avoid the area, as National Grid crews are expected to be on scene for at least several hours making repairs. 

Central Street is closed between Interstate 95 and Main Street. Access to Lunt Street, Kent’s Way and Downfall Road is blocked off. 

Newbury Police are seeking to identify the truck that was involved, and they are asking anyone in the area who has video footage of a tractor trailer passing by about 5:04 p.m., to please contact Sgt. Stephen Smith at S.Smith@NewburyPolice.com.