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R evelers at this weekend’s Fall Free Festival got more than they bargained for when an inflatable bouncy house deflated on a group of children Saturday evening.
According to eye witnesses, an unidentified number of children (one witness suggested may 15) were inside a bouncy house when the electric fan that keeps the structure inflated, lost power and began to deflate on the occupants inside.
The incident occurred near the end of the festival, between6:30and7 p.m.
Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company member Jim Brooks was one of two members of the department who were on scene when the power went off.
“They lost power in the gazebo area and the fan shut off,” Brooks said. “There were several parents around and they rushed over and held the house off the kids.”
“From what I understand it was a little hectic getting them out,” WVFC President Brian Brooks said. “Lots of volunteers helped.”
Jim Brooks said Mayor Peter Telisky was quick-witted enough to unplug the fan from the dead outlet and plug it back into a live outlet, allowing the house to inflate.
Other than a few frayed nerves and some frazzled parents, no injuries were reported.
The exact reason for the power outage is unknown, although it’s believed either a breaker was tripped or a fuse blew.
At least resident said he’s heard there’s been some problems with electricity at the park and has seen outside lights come on in the middle of the day and go out at night, giving some validity to either a problem with the breakers or an intermittent shor
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