At a Glance
- PECO power lines along King Street in Pottstown erupted in sparks at 2:30 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2026
- Residents lost electricity for several hours after equipment exceeded limits
- No injuries were reported
- Why it matters: Sudden outages during extreme cold can pose health risks and disrupt daily routines
A quiet Pottstown block turned into a light show of danger early Wednesday when PECO wires began shooting sparks into the frigid air, jolting residents awake and knocking out power for hours.
Shainia Lloyd, who lives near King Street, posted a Facebook video that captured bright flashes and loud popping sounds as the cables arced.
“Nothing like waking up at 2:30 am and thinking you’re in WWIII,” she wrote.
What Happened
The incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. as temperatures plunged.
According to a PECO spokesperson, the cold triggered a spike in electricity use, pushing the local equipment past its limits.
> “The cause was due to extremely low temperatures and increased usage, which caused the equipment in this specific situation to exceed its limits,” the spokesperson told News Of Philadelphia.
> “While we do assess capacity needs on a regular basis, this can occur when extreme temperatures occur in localized areas.”
Impact on Residents
The sparks were more than a spectacle-they knocked out power to nearby homes, leaving families without heat during some of the coldest hours of the year.
Crews restored service later Wednesday morning; the exact restoration time was not specified.
News Of Philadelphia will air an update during its 11 p.m. newscast and post additional developments online as they emerge.
Key Takeaways
- Cold weather plus high demand can overwhelm local equipment
- PECO monitors capacity, but sudden temperature drops can still cause failures
- Report outages promptly so crews can prioritize repairs
- Have a backup heat plan when extreme cold is forecast
