A little excitement downtown Dryden on Monday, May 9. Witnesses on the street say a sizzling noise and a loud bang echoed down the street when a transformer blew on top of a hydro pole outside of the Central Hotel and launched the top of the pole into the air, also cutting power inside the hotel . Small flames and smoke could be seen coming from the top of the pole as well as the piece on the ground.

Police blocked off Earl Avenue between Princess and King Street while Hydro One cut power to the pole and doused it to stop the smoke.

Hydro officials say a number of factors were probably the cause and say that this is not unusual on older hydro poles.