Electrical power returns to Smithfield

SMITHFIELD -- An explosion at a substation this morning knocked out electrical service throughout the Johnston County seat of Smithfield for more than three hours.

Electricity was coming back on across town about 11:30 a.m.

A crew was starting a transformer at the substation about 8 a.m. today when the transformer exploded. No one was injured.

Schools in Smithfield remained open despite the outage, as did many businesses. Generators provided electricity at Town Hall and the Johnston County Courthouse.

Police officers directed traffic through the main intersections though at least one minor accident took place at a less busy intersection where no officer was stationed.

The town of about 12,600 operates its own electrical system, providing services to customers within the town limits.