Squirrel causes brief power outage in Prior Lake

PRIOR LAKE, Minn. -- A few thousand residents southwest of the Twin Cities lost power Sunday morning because of a squirrel interfering with equipment.

The Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative said a squirrel "in contact with the substation equipment" caused the power outage in Prior Lake around 7 a.m.

About 4,000 people were affected. Power was restored around 8 a.m., MVEC said.