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A hot-air balloon hit a radio tower in New Mexico, causing the tower to collapse.The tower collapsed shortly after balloons lifted off for day 7 of Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta. KKOB Radio says the tower that collapsed belongs to the radio station.Fire and rescue officials say homes near the tower were evacuated as a precaution while they worked to ensure power was cut to the tower.There are no known injuries in the incident. The balloon continued to fly after striking the tower. There were no reports of injuries, said Kevin Carhart, a spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. The balloon, which had three people on board, landed safely in a field after it struck the tower. Video below: Watch as the tower collapses after balloon strike in AlbuquerqueBalloon Fiesta officials say the balloon was flying banner #028. The balloon was identified as the Blue Moon balloon and was piloted by Dan Ewer from Tucson, Arizona.The Aerostar International Inc. S-57A balloon took off from a park as part of the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, said the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating.Video below: Another look at the tower collapsingA balloon bumped into a power line earlier this week in Albuquerque on the festival's third day, leaving nearly 13,000 customers without power for almost an hour.The fiesta is one of the world's most photographed events, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators each fall to New Mexico to look up at more than 100 balloons in bright colors and special shapes.In 2004, a balloon shaped like the face of Smokey Bear got wrapped around a radio tower during the festival, forcing the pilot and two passengers to climb most of the way down the structure.It’s unclear whether the tower struck on Friday was the same tower where a balloon got entangled 20 years ago.The Associated Press contributed to this report
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. —
A hot-air balloon hit a radio tower in New Mexico, causing the tower to collapse.
The tower collapsed shortly after balloons lifted off for day 7 of Albuquerque's Balloon Fiesta. KKOB Radio says the tower that collapsed belongs to the radio station.
Fire and rescue officials say homes near the tower were evacuated as a precaution while they worked to ensure power was cut to the tower.
There are no known injuries in the incident.
The balloon continued to fly after striking the tower.
There were no reports of injuries, said Kevin Carhart, a spokesperson for the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. The balloon, which had three people on board, landed safely in a field after it struck the tower.
Video below: Watch as the tower collapses after balloon strike in Albuquerque
Balloon Fiesta officials say the balloon was flying banner #028. The balloon was identified as the Blue Moon balloon and was piloted by Dan Ewer from Tucson, Arizona.
The Aerostar International Inc. S-57A balloon took off from a park as part of the 52nd annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, said the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating.
Video below: Another look at the tower collapsing
A balloon bumped into a power line earlier this week in Albuquerque on the festival's third day, leaving nearly 13,000 customers without power for almost an hour.
The fiesta is one of the world's most photographed events, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators each fall to New Mexico to look up at more than 100 balloons in bright colors and special shapes.
In 2004, a balloon shaped like the face of Smokey Bear got wrapped around a radio tower during the festival, forcing the pilot and two passengers to climb most of the way down the structure.
It’s unclear whether the tower struck on Friday was the same tower where a balloon got entangled 20 years ago.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
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