KNIGHTDALE - A Wake Electric power line fell, starting woods fires along the utility right of way and zapping power to two Wake County schools early last Tuesday, authorities said.

East Wake Volunteer Fire Department Captain Anthony Lyons said a mile and a half of line fell in woods off of Roberson Street, sparking woods fires.

Plow trucks from the N.C. Forestry Service plowed around the area after the line was deactivated by Wake Electric and firefighters put out the series of small fires along the right of way, said Cliff Freeman of the Wake County Fire Marshal's office. The fires started about 10:30 a.m.

Knightdale High and Forestville Road Elementary School lost power and were without it until mid-afternoon, according to Knightdale Police Chief Shawn Brown.

The lights went out at Knightdale High School while tenth-graders were taking a state-mandated writing test, but there was enough natural light for them to continue testing, said Principal Carla Jernigan. But Jernigan said Wake County Schools testing division advised that any student who wishes to take another writing test may do so because of the problem.

Jernigan worked with staff at East Wake Middle School to create a letter explaining the situation to parents. Knightdale High staffers distributed the letter to students before they went home Tuesday.