Motorist Blamed For Minor Fire
By Doug Mattson - Wednesday, July 19, 2000
A firefighter sprays water on a hillside along East Main in Grass Valley to put out a grass fire that started there Tuesday. (Photo by Eileen Joyce)
A motorist who struck a power-pole guy wire was blamed for a fire that blocked traffic along East Main Street in Grass Valley on Tuesday and temporarily affected power and cable customers.
Grass Valley Fire Capt. Tom Browning said the motorist, who wasn't immediately identified, struck a guy wire in the parking lot behind Not Just Ceramics, on the west side of East Main.
The power pole rocked back and forth, causing the power lines to arc. That started a quarter-acre fire on the east side of East Main and a small spot fire on the west side, Browning said.
Browning said the biggest threat came when flames began lapping up against the Fischer's Towing wrecking yard fence, but the fire was quickly contained.
Fire crews responded just after 4:40 p.m. and cleared the scene by 8:40 p.m.
Nevada County Consolidated and Ophir Hill fire districts also responded, as did the Grass Valley police and public works departments, and Pacific Gas & Electric Co. workers.
Browning said traffic was blocked for two hours, and power eventually was restored.
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