SLIPPERY ROCK — An industrious beaver is the cause of a widespread, planned power outage in the Slippery Rock area this evening, as West Penn Power workers make emergency repairs to a transmission structure.

The company said about 10,000 customers would be affected by a 10 minute power outage that will happen between 6 and 7 p.m. The outage also will impact Slippery Rock University.

Company spokesman Todd Meyers said the repairs are necessary because a beaver chewed through a pole, creating a hazard in which the pole could fall onto a transmission line. Meyers said the company was taking steps to ensure that did not occur and cause a more protracted outage.

The company said it was attempting to place phone calls to all customers who would be affected by the outage.