RCMP are now investigating, the utility said Thursday. NB Power spokesman Dominique Couture said in an email that a large tree fell on a key piece of equipment in the Moncton area. It affected two transmission lines and more than 50,000 customers lost power for several hours. Transmission lines feed smaller distribution networks. Couture compared it to a network of highways and roads. “In this case, upon further investigation, it was determined that this tree was cut down,” Couture said. “The RCMP are now investigating and we are cooperating with that investigation.” Police have released photos of a tree that was snapped and fell onto power lines in Moncton Wednesday night, causing a massive power outage for several hours. (Submitted by the RCMP) New Brunswick RCMP Staff Sgt. André Pepin said the tree was cut down near the Trans-Canada Highway and McLaughlin Street in Moncton. “The RCMP are investigating, trying to find out who cut down this tree and that’s why we’ve asked anyone with information about it to contact the Codiac RCMP,” said Pepin. The outage began around 8:35 p.m. AT, affecting areas around Moncton. Power had been largely restored by midnight.
