A utility pole on Taylor Street caught fire Sunday afternoon, causing a power outage in several blocks around the Pioneer Hill area.

Pullman Police Sgt. Dan Dornes said the incident was reported at 5:58 p.m. and the Pullman Police Department, the Pullman Fire Department and Avista Utilities responded.

Dornes said a utility pole caught fire near the crossbar of the pole, which caused a wire to fall. The wire blew a transformer on the pole, creating the power outage in the surrounding area.

PPD blocked off Taylor Street between Water Street and Dexter Street while the fire was extinguished and Avista got the power back on around 7:30 p.m., Dornes said.

Reporting by Dennis Farrell