AYNOR, SC (WBTW) – Friday, weather caused power outages throughout most of Aynor but one business was able to profit regardless of the blackout.
Duke Energy’s website said at least 500 customers were without power in Aynor during the blackout. The Blackout started around 4p.m. and a car crash where two people were transported to the hospital happened at one of the traffic lights not working due to the power outage.
“The intersections are hard to see at this time through Aynor because the whole town is out,” said Officer Wayne Llewellyn with Aynor Police.
Up and down Highway 501 police cars were parked on the medians in an attempt to light up the pitch black roads in town.
“Hopefully our blue lights will slow down the traffic,” said Llewellyn.
All businesses along 501 were affected by the outage, but at least one remained open.
Jessica Martin says she got to her job at Santino’s Pizza at around 5p.m. and the power soon went out.
“We got candles earlier. When the electric was still on we had big spot lights. We had customers in here eating while the lights were out,” said Martin.
Even with the lights out, employees say they stayed busy.
“Serve a lot of pizza. Other people cannot cook at home,” Santino Jimongkonkul
Jimongkonkul is the owner of the pizza place. He says the power outage won’t stop them from making pizza.
“This pizza oven is a brick oven run by propane gas so you don’t need electricity,” he said.
Jimongkonkul says it might be a little more difficult than usual to work with the lights out, but he says it’s worth it in the end.
“Because to me this business is not just a job it’s a commitment I’ve had for the past 30 years,” he said.
By the end of Friday night, a majority of power had been returned to Aynor and all of Horry County.
