Resident reports tangled wires, limited response after Aug. 8 macroburst
A Springfield homeowner says utility wires have lain across her backyard for more than a week following the Aug. 8 macroburst, leaving the yard unusable and raising safety concerns for her and her pet.
The resident, who has lived on Mansfield Street for decades and declined to appear on camera, told reporters the lines are on the ground, wrapped in trees and behind the garage. She said she has made numerous attempts to get the situation addressed but continues to wait for the utility company to remove the wiring and pole that she says ended up on her property.
“There’s wires all across the ground, it’s all tangled in some trees, it’s in the back behind the garage tangled in the garage and it’s very dangerous because I can’t even do my yard because the wires are all over,”
Firefighters from the Springfield Fire Department responded Friday morning after the resident reported the problem. Captain Drew Piemonte said firefighters determined the lines were telephone cables and that they contacted Verizon, the company responsible for the pole, to request removal.
The resident said she was told by firefighters that Verizon gave a 30-minute estimated time of arrival but did not send crews that day. She said she has attempted to contact Verizon multiple times, called both 911 and 311, visited a Verizon retail store in person and even reached out to the state attorney general’s office. She also said she is not a Verizon customer and that the company’s automated system requires a 10-digit account number, complicating her ability to report the hazard through that channel.
Public safety guidance and local implications
Public safety officials warn residents to treat any downed utility line as potentially live and dangerous and to avoid touching or attempting to move it. The presence of wiring across a backyard can limit egress and play areas, particularly for households with children or pets. The resident said she will not allow her dog outside because the animal nearly stepped on the cables.
“I won’t let my dog out. She almost stepped on it once. I don’t want to take a chance, so I don’t let her out here,”
In addition to immediate personal safety risks, the situation spotlights questions about how utilities and emergency services coordinate in post-storm responses and how noncustomers report hazards. The Springfield Fire Department confirmed its crews will not perform repairs on utility infrastructure but can identify hazards and notify the responsible company.
- Incident: Downed/tangled telephone wires and pole across private backyard
- Location: Mansfield Street, Springfield
- Timeline: Wires remained on property more than a week after Aug. 8 macroburst
- Actions taken: Calls to Verizon, 911, 311, visit to Verizon store, contact with AG’s office; SFD confirmed lines are telephone lines and notified Verizon
WE NEWS contacted Verizon seeking clarification on why a noncustomer cannot report a safety hazard through its automated system and when the lines would be cleared. As of the time of reporting, the company had not responded.
| Contact/Action | Response reported |
|---|---|
| Springfield Fire Department | Confirmed lines were telephone wires; contacted Verizon |
| Verizon | Provided estimated 30-minute arrival (per resident); no crew arrived (per resident); no official response to media as of report |
| Resident actions | Called 911 and 311, visited Verizon store, contacted AG’s office |
The incident adds to broader concerns about public communication and response times after severe weather. Springfield residents affected by storm damage may face similar difficulties when utilities cross property lines or when companies require account information to log reports. While firefighters will report hazards and advise on immediate safety steps, removal and repair of company-owned poles and lines generally fall under the utility’s responsibility.
For now, the Mansfield Street homeowner continues to wait for a resolution that would allow her to use her yard again without worry for herself or her pet. City residents should follow established safety guidance and report downed lines through official emergency channels if they pose an immediate danger.
