A pole top electrical fire caused widespread power outages across the north side of Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan Friday night.

A DTE spokeswoman said that two of the four transformers at the DTE substation on the north side of the Broadway Bridge were out of service for seasonal maintenance, and a small pole top electrical fire around 7 p.m. Friday took the other two out of service. Power was restored to some customers by 9 p.m. and most of the affected area by 1 a.m. Saturday.

The Ann Arbor Fire Department was dispatched to the pole on Maiden Lane, Battalion Chief Robert Vogel said. Witnesses reported a bright flash visible in the area at the time of the incident.

The outage was accompanied by a power surge that was reported across the Ann Arbor area and as far away as Dexter by individuals who saw their Internet service briefly disrupted by devices resetting or rebooting. DTE spokeswoman Lorie Kessler was unable to confirm the extent of this disruption.

Many buildings on North Campus were affected by the outage, according to a report from the University of Michigan's Information and Technology Services. Bursley Residence, Baits Residence, the School of Information North and annex, Walgreen Drama Center, UM Transportation Research Institute, Art & Architecture, Northwood Family Housing, Pierpont Commons, Music, North Campus Grounds Services and the Bentley Library all lost power or Internet connections. Power was restored to most locations by about 3 a.m. A few devices were down longer.

To report a power outage or downed wire call 800-477-4747 and use the DTE automated phone system. Do not assume that the power company knows that you are without power or that a line is down.