UPDATE: Westar Energy says that power was fully restored to more than 1,600 customers that lost service due to a blown fuse near the intersection of Iron Avenue and Front Street Wednesday morning.

According to a Westar representative, the fuse blew at about 9:25 a.m. and power was fully restored by 10:20 a.m.

The blown fuse caused a fire within a line of trees and at least one power line was reported to be on the ground in the area.

Outages were reported from as far as just south of Oakdale Park to as far north as the intersection of Santa Fe and Lincoln Avenues and as far west as the intersection of Chicago and Park Streets to as far east as the intersection of Ohio and North Streets.

Power was lost at the City-County Building, 300 W. Ash, forcing the closure of Saline County District Court until noon.

Power was also lost to traffic signals at several intersections in the affected area, including Santa Fe and Ash and 9th and Elm. Power to those traffic signals has also been restored.

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Original Story:

Westar Energy is reporting that more 1,600 customers in Salina are without power after a transformer exploded near the intersection of Iron Avenue and Front Street Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were initially dispatched to the area after receiving a report of trees on fire and a power line down in the area just after 9:30 a.m.

Outages have been reported from as far as just south of Oakdale Park to as far north as the intersection of Front Street and Grand Avenue.

As a result of the outage, traffic signals at several intersections, including 9th and Elm and Santa Fe and Ash, are currently not working. Road crews are setting up temporary traffic controls at these locations.

As of 10 a.m., Westar is estimating that power will be fully restored by noon.