According to CBS, KCRA, and other news media, dozens of smart meters exploded and caught fire after an electrical surge cut power to about 5800 homes near Stockton CA. A dump truck crashed into several power poles causing extensive damage. More than 700 customers were still without power.
CBS News reports, “A power surge left thousands without power for most of the day in Stockton after smart meters on their homes exploded on Monday.” “Neighbors in the South Stockton area described it as a large pop, a bomb going off, and strong enough to shake a house.” http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2015/03/30/stockton-smart-meters-explode-after-truck-causes-power-surge/
The Stockton Record reported fire Capt. Bryan Carr described the scene as “unreal” when his engine pulled onto Fairbury Lane, a residential street in southeast Stockton.
“In some cases, meters were literally blown off the panels. People described it as hearing a whirring sound like the meter was speeding up, then like an explosion. Some of the meters weren’t blown off, but they were fried and the glass was gone,” Carr said.
According to Carr there was no pattern to the damage. There would be three houses with damaged meters, then one or two in a row that were intact. He estimated there were up 50-60 homes with significant damages. http://www.recordnet.com/article/20150330/NEWS/150339956/101007/A_NEWS
