"It was like 'War Of The Worlds'!"

In an experience where life almost imitated art, my wife and I were suddenly awakened last night just before 2 AM to a sudden loud buzz, then incredibly bright flash and boom. We jumped out of bed, headed into the living room when moments later it happened again! We looked out the windows and could not see any fires, and the neighborhood still had power. I had once seen lightening strike a power transformer before and thought it might be that, but called Erie Police's non-emerency number to be sure. The dispatcher said that they indeed had several reports from officers on patrol about transformers exploding. We tried to go back to bed when a third, smaller flash occured, which turned out to be a transmission line popping an insolator, just down the block. Soon Erie Fire showed up and blocked the street. I went out to see what was up and my neighbors were really shocked. One said, "the sound and the lights were just like the movie, you know, 'War Of The Worlds.'"

I'm not sure I've ever been scared like that in a long time. It took us an hour to settle back to sleep.