Power Restored to South County Hospital

UPDATE 6:45pm  Power appears to have been restored to most buildings at South County Hospital, though it is unclear whether it is via a secondary feed or generator power.  Earlier reports from officials indicated that only one third of the hospital was with power during the incident.  National Grid is remaining on the scene, along with Union Fire District Engine 2.  Northups towing has also arrived on scene to secure the vehicle involved in the accident.

--

UPDATE 6:30pm  South Kingstown fire units have extinguished the remaining flames, and power has been secured.  National Grid is now on scene attempting to restore power to South County Hospital.

--

UPDATE 6:00pm  Power is only on to about one third of South County hospital, according to officials on the scene at Kenyon Avenue and Pleasant Street, where a minivan lost control and slammed into a telephone pole, snapping it in half.  

"I'm not even sure how to describe the sound I heard," Cynthia Brown, a nearby resident on Kenyon Avenue.  "It stopped my heart, it sounded like a giant piece of wood cracking.  The lights went out, and suddenly the entire neighboorhood lit up like it was daylight."

According to Union Fire District Chief Robert Perry, the accident dropped wires and set a small fire.  Live wires were arcing on the ground and igniting nearby leaves.  According to Perry, the lone female driver was uninjured and SKEMS was cancelled.  However, the driver was seen taking a field sobriety test and was later taken into custody by South Kingstown Police.  Fire units are waiting for power to be secured before putting out the fire.

--

Police and Wakefield Fire Department Engine 2 are on the scene of a car - versus - telephone pole collision at Kenyon Avenue and Pleasant Street near the South County Hospital that occurred just after 5:00pm.

According to police dispatchers, the accident has cut the main power feed to South County Hospital.  The hospital is still under power, possibly from a backup generator, and none of the main buildings have been evacuated.

The accident has also dropped several power lines and reportedly started a small fire nearby.  Police are currently redirecting traffic around the area.  Stay tuned to the South Kingstown Patch for the latest.