AUGUSTA — A squirrel is blamed for an electrical surge that left stores in the Turnpike Mall without power this morning.

Dispatchers received the call at 8:51 a.m.

Squirrel damage resulted in a downed wire behind Sears store in the Western Avenue mall that caused a grass fire.

Augusta Fire Chief Roger Audette said employees in the Christmas Tree Shop and Bed, Bath & Beyond reported an odor. The stores were evacuated and Central Maine Power Company notified.

Audette ordered power shut down in all the stores until electricians can make repairs.
Around 9:30 a.m. Audette said the stores would be closed for at least an hour.