Fallen Utility Poles Close Portion of Washington Street

From Braintree Police Department:

Three utility poles snapped and are laying on a portion of Washington Street (Route 37) between Jefferson, Hancock, and Plain Streets. A fourth pole snapped behind the Tiki Palace. The exact cause has not yet been determined but is possibly related to a combination of a transformer exploding and high winds.

Emergency crews are on the scene, but work is expected to run through the night and into the early morning hours. Police officers will be stationed at Jefferson Street and Hancock and Plain Streets to detour traffic. A third officer will be stationed at Washington and Hancock Streets during rush hour to assist detoured traffic merging onto the road.

Motorists are urged to use an alternate route and avoid this stretch of Route 37.

No injuries or damaged vehicles were reported at the scene, but there is one unconfirmed report that a passing vehicle was damaged by some wires.

A witness also reported the transformer explosion, but police will need further investigation to confirm.

Photo Credit: Braintree Police