Blown off-campus power generator cuts UNR power

Wednesday, September 9, 2009 - 8:08 PM

A transformer blew on Timber Way, less than a mile from campus, cutting power to most of the University of Nevada, Reno on Wednesday at about 6 p.m., firefighters said. While lights were popping on at about 7:30 p.m., full power won’t be restored until probably 9 p.m., UNR police officer Dave Grinde said.

While alarms went off in several buildings, there was no reported damage. Capt. Joe Dolan with the Reno Fire Department said NV Energy responded to the blown generator and the fire department showed up as a precaution.

Grinde and other UNR police officers patrolled campus shortly after to make sure no one tried to break into the buildings while they were shut down.

Several groups of students worked in the cool evening instead of meeting in places like the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center. One group huddled over an MacBook in front of the Knowledge Center.

“Luckily, we have this computer,” Danielle Walsh, a 19-year-old Wildlife ecology major said.

The group had met up only a few minutes before and was trying to finish a group project for a Thursday class.

Howie Singer, a 25-year-old wildlife ecology major, said he lost power at his house about a half mile from campus as well.

The Nevada Sagebrush Staff can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.com.