Utility Pole Fire Causes Power Outages In Manalapan: Cops

MANALAPAN, NJ - Several hundred JCP&L customers were left without power in Manalapan early Friday morning following a utility pole fire near Old Queens Boulevard, authorities said.

As of 10 a.m. on Friday, about 480 residents were still left without power (almost 4 percent of the township).

Old Queens Boulevard between Annapolis Drive and Oxford Road was closed in both directions for several hours following the incident, authorities announced around 6:15 a.m. As of 8:15 a.m., the road is reopened.

"We don’t know what caused the wires to catch fire but no vehicles were involved," a spokesperson from the Manalapan Township Police Department told Patch.

JCP&L has expanded the outage to safely make repairs, Manalapan Township wrote in a statement Friday morning. Those who are experiencing power outages can report it to the utility by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) or visiting www.firstenergycorp.com) and clicking the "Report Outage" link.

According to the JCP&L website, the outages are expected to last until 11:30 a.m. following repairs.

This is a breaking news story. Patch will have more information as it comes in.