Gunfire hits Duke Energy equipment, causing oil leak and fire in Durham

Duke Energy equipment was damaged by gunfire this month in a rural area of Durham, resulting in a multi-agency investigation.

According to the Durham Police Department, power equipment was struck by gunfire within the last week, causing a slow oil leak and ultimately igniting a fire Monday night.

Around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, members of the FBI and Durham Police Department gathered at the damage site on Virgil Road at Carpenter Pond Road, about 25 minutes east of downtown Durham.

Duke Energy said the company received reports of a fire and equipment failure Monday along their distribution power grid, resulting in 730 Duke Energy customers losing power for two hours.

Power poles in the area were burned, and the ground was charred. A nearby stop sign was littered with bullet holes.

A neighbor told WRAL News it's not uncommon for people to fire their guns in the area due to its rural location.

According to Durham police, the FBI is assisting with the investigation.