LEWISTON – Fire and utility officials were investigating a reported power problem in the downtown area early Friday morning.

Sgt. Kelly Hamel said police received a report from a Main Street motorist of a street grate being blown off and flames shooting out in front of the former radiator shop shortly before 12:30 p.m.

“I pulled up, and there was smoke coming up out of the street (grate), and we just started to close the streets down while it is being investigated,” he said.

Central Maine Power Co. and Northern Utilities gas company were trying to find the source by investigating an area in front of the former Lewiston Radiator Works on Main Street, the scene of a major natural gas explosion last month.

The Sun Journal reported a power surge shortly before

12:30 a.m. and a cleaning service reported low power at 3 Lisbon St. a short time later.