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(WABI-TV)
A Bradford, Maine couple blames FairPoint Communications for setting the stage for a recent fire in their home caused when a poorly repaired utility pole exposed low hanging wires eventually making contact with a passing truck, which created an energy surge igniting an electrical fire in their home.
“I thought we got hit by lightning. Everything started popping in the house,” Joseph Nunez told WABI-TV. “So, then I go upstairs, we have a ton of books upstairs, everything is in flames. We had perfect kindling for a fire. We have clothes and a library up there.”
The State Fire Marshal blamed an electrical malfunction, most likely caused by the fallen power lines formerly attached to FairPoint’s pole.
The utility has since replaced the pole, but Nunez believes the root cause of the fire was insufficient repairs done to the pole after an earlier storm.
“Three months ago after a wind storm they never put it up right,” Nunez said. “They put that band-aid of a little pole over there with some straps.”
A FairPoint spokesman said they can’t confirm if the pole in question had ever been damaged or repaired, but they’re looking into it.
The local fire department arrived early enough to prevent the fire from causing extensive damage to the Nunez home, built in 1850.
[flv]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/WABI Bangor Couple Blames FairPoint for Fire 6-16-11.flv[/flv]
WABI-TV in Bangor reports on the domino effect: a poorly maintained utility pole provides for low hanging wires, a truck makes contact with those wires, the resulting voltage spike ignites a fire in a couple’s home. (1 minute)
Trying to contact injury claim dept. Not an easy task but finally was provided with a phone and programed voice machine. Message left and waiting on return call. My issue is that Fairpoint left a bundle of wire handing from a pole located on the sidewalk. As a result I caught my foot in it. Have pictures and a story to tell or email to Fairpoint. My question: Do you have a contact or a responsible person to present my story to?
Thank You
Fairpoint is the worst company ever! Their tech came to my house for a repair and told me how bad it was to work there because Verizon was so much better. They stopped bonuses, raises, but the upper management makes $250,000/yr salaries, it is all on Fairpoint.com. They do not update the offices which are disgusting. He said he wanted to quit, but has grandchildren to support. Also knows a guy in Purchasing who told him about bad business practices and bad management. Most of those people do not have college degrees or know what they are buying, but knew… Read more »