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Iguana on power line knocks out South Florida nursing home's electricity

Posted at 7:46 PM, Sep 29, 2018
and last updated 2018-09-29 19:46:55-04

LAUDERDALE LAKES, Fla. (AP) — An iguana wandered onto a power line and knocked out electricity to a Florida nursing home, sending 20 patients to the hospital.

MORE: 'Incredible increases' in South FL iguana population | 'Chicken of the Trees': People are eating iguanas in Florida

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue Spokesman Michael Kane says the iguana was electrocuted and set off a fire on the power pole, which knocked out electricity to The Palms Care Center in Lauderdale Lakes on Friday afternoon.

Kane told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the facility was running on generator power but only half of it was being cooled effectively.

Residents who lost air conditioning were moved to parts of the facility where cooling units were working. Kane said 20 patients were moved to hospitals as a precaution.

Electricity was restored throughout the nursing home late Friday. State records show the facility is licensed for 120 beds.