Brush fire flare-up under control

The Oconee County interchange—highways 11 and 123—have re-opened in both directions as public safety personnel continue to deal with the aftermath of yesterday’s trash truck accident.  9-1-1 this morning received calls about the flare-up of a brush fire near accident scene.  The noon hour accident yesterday left the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative with having to replace 15 poles after the trash truck, with its mechanical arms still raised, hit a power line that broke poles and took down service lines in the vicinity of the Oconee industrial complex on highway 11.  No injuries were reported, but the highway patrol cited the truck driver, Clifton Allen Slone of Inman, with a violation of the state statute covering condition of vehicle and vehicle equipment.  Sources told 101.7/WGOG NEWS that the truck exited the Blue Ridge grounds onto highway 11 and, at that point, with the vehicle’s arms still up, made contact with the overhead lines.  Power service in the area was immediately lost and, for a short time, Blue Ridge’s gates, locked down, delaying repair crews getting out.  Blue Ridge’s Denise McCormick said by backfeeding electricity in a reverse direction, some of the affected manufacturing plants saw their service restored.  For others nearby, there was a wait on power restoration, including  internet services.