By Bonnie Culverhouse

Minden Fire Department responded to a business in the 600 block of Homer Road that received an electrical jolt around 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Dr. Robert Russell, owner of The Women’s Clinic, said lights and electronics began blinking and a surge protector caught fire.

Fire Chief Brian Williams said the clinic staff used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames, and his firefighters set up fans to take care of the smoke.

“Another business lost power a couple of doors down, but it happened when the line crew cut the power to the clinic,” Williams said. “They didn’t actually have a problem and when the line crew turned the power back on, they were fine.”

Williams said many times old surge protectors should be replaced periodically.

By 5:25 p.m., all Minden fire engines were back in service.