It appears a mylar balloon is to blame.
Com Ed says the balloon made contact with a primary wire near Bryn Mawr and Menard at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday.
That caused several wires to come down, knocking out power.
Com Ed crews were out all afternoon working to get frustrated customers back on-line.
"We don't have hot water, there's no electricity, there's no heat right now, so hopefully we'll go somewhere or try to see what we can do," resident Rosha Charles said. "Hopefully it will come soon we'll have dinner, but right now, nothing, no dinner."
Comed says 95 percent of the homes that lost power have been restored.