Tama firefighters and police observe electrical connection box on the rear of a downtown Tama CPA office which malfunctioned Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 6, causing temporary power disruptions in the downtown business district. News-Herald/John Speer

Problems with an outdoor electrical circuit box located on the rear of the Latta Harris Hanson & Penninggroth certified public accounting office at 124 west 3rd in downtown Tama disrupted electrical service to some downtown Tama businesses for a period late Wednesday afternoon. Tama firefighters were summoned shortly before 4 p.m. and a hydrant line was laid in middle of the street in the 100 block of West 3rd Street. What was found was an electrical junction box on the rear of the building was malfunctioning and a series of lound “pops” were heard. The back of hte building adjacent to where the box was affixed was blackened. It was known electrical service was out for the Investment Center of Iowa at 108 West 3rd and affected at a number of other downtown businesses. At the Tama News-Herald, Toledo Chronicle, Tama County Shopper office a block away to the west, electrical power appeared to be at abouyt a third of normal with dim lights. The central computer system would not operate with alarm systems sounding. Crews from Alliant energy including at least three service trucks were on the scene shortly after 4 p.m.