Stoneham residents use generators to keep lights on after truck collision collapses utility poles

STONEHAM, Mass — Most residents along Montvale Avenue in Stoneham will have their power back on Wednesday night after several utility poles were taken down by a truck.

“I’m very impressed with all these gentlemen that are out here and doing their best to try to get these families back up and running,” said Wanda Freytes, who lost power.

Eversource brought seven generators to the area to temporarily get the power back on while crews continue to work on getting these utility poles back up.

“I’ve never heard of that before, I thought they were going to have to get all these lines up and get new poles in here,” said Joe Gavin, who also lost power.

Hundreds of people were without power all day Wednesday after a tractor trailer struck a power line, which then pulled down seven utility poles with live wires all over the street.

“Sparks are flying all over the place,” said Jack Finley, a UPS driver.

One of those utility poles came crashing down on a UPS truck.

“Luckily it was the back end of the truck -- not the front,” said Finley.

Luckily no one was hurt, but this mess has been inconvenient for people who live here.

“It’s been crazy absolutely crazy because we live on the sixth floor in the first building here so trying to even get out is like you have to go down six flight of stairs and then go back up,” said Freytes.

Not only did many lose power, but residents here couldn’t even drive off their property.

Nancy Murray needed to pick up her husband from the hospital.

“I walked to the hospital and then we called a friend to pick us up and drop us off at the corner here,” said Murray.

While the cleanup continues, many here are just thankful to have power on for the night.

“It’s going to keep getting chilly and you know we want to make sure we’re warm,” said Freytes.

Police hope to have one lane open on Montvale Ave Thursday morning, but work will be ongoing so drivers should try to avoid the area.

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