Blackout blamed on cut wire

MOORE - Authorities are blaming would-be copper thieves for a Wednesday afternoon blackout that left thousands of customers without power.

The break-in happened Wednesday at an Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. power substation in Moore, company spokesman Brian Alford said.

Copper wiring was cut, Alford said, which shut off power to about 3,800 customers in Moore and about 1,700 in Norman. Alford said it wasn't clear Wednesday afternoon whether any copper actually was taken. Police were investigating.

Alford said the substation carries thousands of volts of electricity.

"What they did was extremely dangerous," Alford said. "There was more than enough electricity there to be deadly."

Power crews were making repairs to the substation late Wednesday, and Alford said power was restored by 7 p.m.