ALBANY — A fallen tree apparently caused a brief blackout in the North Slappey Boulevard area, cutting power to area residents Wednesday night.

Deputy Dougherty EMA Director Jim Vaught said that around 7:15 p.m., a tree near the alley of 10th Avenue fell and caused significant damage to power poles and lines in the area, sparking a blackout of the homes and businesses in the Rawson Circle district and shutting down street lights on busy Slappey Boulevard and Palmyra Road for more than an hour.

“As I understand it, Water, Gas and Light are working on the problem, but that several areas around 10th, 8th, Slappey and Palmyra are still in the dark,” said Vaught, whose own home was without power Wednesday night.

“I’m missing American Idol,” he joked.

Police and Fire crews responded intersections where traffic lights were not operational.

The Albany Fire Department’s Station 2 on Palmyra Road was without power, while its fire engine, Engine 2, helped police at the intersection of Eight Avenue and Palmyra Road.

Shortly before 9 p.m., traffic lights on Slappey Boulevard appeared to be back working normally, officials.