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Lightning Strikes Responsible For Massive Power Outage

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP (KDKA) –Multiple lightning strikes are believed to be the cause of a massive power outage in Butler County and northern Allegheny County Tuesday night.

Around 7:35 p.m. two transmission lines at the Maple Substation in Zelienople went down. At its peak, there were roughly 42,000 customers without power.

Penn Power crews worked non-stop and restored power to all of the affected customers by 8:30 a.m.

The outages cost some businesses money because they could not remain open. One affected business was the 7-Eleven on Route 19 in Wexford.

"We're dead in the water, can't open for business," John Marzullo said. "We've lost frozen product nonetheless. Complete line of ice cream is gone."

The power outage also affected some schools in the area.

North Allegheny High School had a two-hour delay Wednesday.

CCAC's North Campus canceled daytime classes, but evening classes are expected to be held.

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