More than 3,000 lost power in Fairview Heights area at height of afternoon heat
Multiple power outages disabled electricity service to more 3,000 people in Fairview Heights and surrounding areas in the metro-east Tuesday.
Ameren Illinois reported six outages affecting 3,736 customers.
Brian Bretsch, public relations manager for Ameren, a power line pole malfunctioned and fell on top of another power line, causing the outage.
The utility has reroute power to all but 111 customers by 4 p.m., Bretsch said. Power was restored to all customers by 5:35 p.m., he said.
Christine Poehling, marketing director for CBL Properties, confirmed the power has been restored at St. Clair Square.
The Fairview Heights Fire Department said the malfunction caused a fire at the top of the pole, but it eventually extinguished itself.
The outage comes during a national heatwave. The temperature in Fairview Heights reached 98 degrees with a head index above 100.
This story was originally published June 24, 2025 at 4:18 PM.
