-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
A broken utility pole blocks 21st Street between Second and Third avenues south early Thursday afternoon. According to Fort Dodge police, a vehicle struck the pole, breaking it. The crash happened at about 12:30 p.m. The pole was held up by the wires connecting it to other nearby poles. The transformers attached to the pole hit the road and leaked fluids. A long section of South 21st Street was closed for about 45 minutes. The Fort Dodge Police, Fire and Public Works departments; MidAmerican Energy and Mid-Iowa Towing responded to the incident.