Update: Power Outage Was Caused By Metallic Balloon

After a power outage in Colma, Daly City, and South City that began at around 8:20 p.m. Sunday, power for the remaining 158 customers without it today should be restored by 12:30 p.m.

Approximately 3,660 PG&E customers lost power Sunday evening due to a downed wire. About 2,500 customers remained without power as of around 9:40 p.m.

By 11:30 p.m. Sunday, all but just under 200 customers had their power back.

The fallen wire was in South City, near the intersection of Clay Avenue and Junipero Serra Boulevard.

According to a PG&E spokesperson, at least one metallic balloon that made contact with electrical wires caused the damage. Balloon shards were found at the scene, and the balloon may have drifted in from another neighborhood.

Investigators concluded that the metallic surface of the balloon caused an increased surge in the wire when it made contact with multiple wires at once. 

The PG&E spokesperson said they usually see metallic balloons, which have a shiny surface, around graduations and Valentine's Day.

PG&E recommends tying weights to metallic balloons so that they do not float away and risk being tangled in electrical wires. PG&E also reminds residents not to approach downed wires and to call 9-1-1 if you see one.

Correction: An original version of this story said the wire was down in Daly City, but it was actually in South San Francisco.

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