A Science Diet truck on its way to the animal shelter was ensnared in low-sagging phone lines and accidentally broke four power poles as lights went out in Sutter Creek, Amador City and Martell. Photo by: Bill Lavallie Photo by: Bill Lavallie

The flag that flies over the American Legion Hall in Sutter Hill is down - and electricity has been cut off in Sutter Creek, Amador City and most of Martell Tuesday morning.

The current power situation was sparked when a large diesel truck got tangled in sagging phone lines, which quickly caused four power lines along Highway 49 to completely snap as part of the mess came down on the roof of the American Legion Hall.

The accident happened around 8:35 a.m. when a Science Diet truck was turning onto Airport Road in Sutter Hill on a mission to bring food to the animal shelter. According to the driver, a number of phone lines were sagging low - possibly from several weeks of high temperatures. Some law enforcement sources on the scene said a truck pulling a train engine the night before may have damaged the lines on the other side of the highway, thus causing the an extra foot in sagging in the lines the Science Diet driver hit.

The truck driver said the morning sun was glaring directly in his eyes as he turned and said he could not see the drooping lines. The top of the his trailer caught the lines and began to pull against all nearby power and phone poles, resulting in four shattering around bases or centers.

Seconds later, a transformer at Umpqua Bank in Sutter Hill exploded and power flickered as far as South Jackson as it went completely out in Sutter Creek, Amador City and many areas of Martell.

The Sutter Creek Fire Department, CAL FIRE, the California Highway Patrol and the Amador County Sheriff's Office all responded to the scene. As of 9 a.m., the second lane of northbound Highway 49 was open as were both southbound lanes. PG&E had no specific time for restoring power.