Power Line Arc Sets Fire to Utility Pole Near Old Town, Causes Brief Outage: SDG&E

San Diego Gas & Electric is investigating an electrical issue that caused a brief power outage and led a utility pole to catch fire near Old Town.

SDG&E spokesperson Denice Menard confirmed a utility line arced and set fire to a pole near the Old Town Transit Center. A transformer did not blow up as the CHP initially reported, Menard said. The cause of the arcing is under investigation.

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department was called to the scene to assist with the fire.

A little after 7 p.m. a check of San Diego Gas & Electric's Outage Map showed that 295 customers in Ocean Beach, Midway, Lindbergh Field, Center City, Balboa Park and Golden Hills were knocked off the grid at 6:28 p.m. SDG&E said power was restored by 8:15 p.m.

The CHP was working on a plan to close I-5 in both directions, but determined a closure would be unnecessary.

This story will be updated as information becomes available.