High winds KO power, start fire in local church

More than 25,000 homes and businesses lost power across the county yesterday as winds gusting up to 42 mph felled power lines, sent trees crashing into homes and started a fire in a church outside Annapolis.

There were 33 reports of downed power lines and seven of trees falling on houses that caused only minor damage, said Capt. Michael Cox, a county Fire Department spokesman.

Two firefighters responding to a call in Pasadena experienced one of those downed power lines firsthand when a live wire fell on their engine.

The firefighters had to stay in the vehicle, stopped at Obrecht and Jumpers Hole roads, for about 30...