Nearly 400 homes and businesses were disrupted when the tynes of a forklift, being hauled by a truck, snagged eight powerlines in Belgrade, Montana, USA, this week.

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle reported the forklift was being hauled by Kenyon Noble's truck between Bozeman and Belgrade on December 20 when the forklift's tynes started ripping down powerlines.

NorthWestern Energy Co spokeswoman Claudia Rapkoch said the tynes weren't secured and were "up in the air". She said the forklift snapped a pole when it took down the eighth powerline.

Kenyon Noble's human resources and safety director Jenifer Dedman said no one was hurt in the accident, but the power outage caused many offices to close early.

"We shut down at about 4pm because it was so dark in there," said Debe Youngberg, executive director of Belgrade Chamber of Commerce.

Youngberg said the power failure also affected restaurants preparing for dinner guests.

"Chefs came running out of The Mint, they were right in the middle of their afternoon shifts," she said.