Posted at 9:31 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2007
Rodent blamed for brief power outage at Vegas hotels
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS — Electricity was restored before dawn Friday at three Las Vegas Strip casinos after an hourlong power outage that a utility official blamed on a wayward rodent in a substation.The New Frontier, Riviera and Circus Circus hotels were affected by the 4:40 a.m. mishap, said Sonya Headen, a spokeswoman for Nevada Power Co.
No injuries or damage were reported, and electricity was restored to the hotels and about 500 other nearby power customers by 5:45 a.m., Headen said. She said a rodent caused a short-circuit in a power substation about two blocks west of the Strip.
Backup generators kept lights on and elevators working at the hotels.
A spokesman for MGM Mirage, owner of the Circus Circus, said gambling was not interrupted.
But New Frontier officials suspended gambling until power was restored.
Riviera officials did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
