Residents of two area communities were without power Tuesday when Mylar balloons got tangled up in power lines.  Chatsworth and Cullom had to go without service until Ameren crews were able to re-store power late Tuesday afternoon.  Ameren investigators found pieces of balloon material near a sub-station.  The metallic-substance balloons conduct electricity and oftentimes, spark outages.  Ameren reported the entire power grid failed as a result.  Power was out in the two towns from about 1:30 until 5:30 pm.

Ameren and other power supply companies say the metallic balloons have casused similiar problems in other areas too.  People celebrate events with balloons and when the party is over, balloons are released and can get tangled in power lines.

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