If you found yourself without power for a few hours late Monday night, you could have a snake to blame. If it’s any consolation, this particular serpent probably won’t be slithering its way into any future headlines.

About 6,500 people were affected by a power outage that lasted from 9:36 p.m. to 11:44 p.m. Monday night, said Michelle Aguayo, spokeswoman for Xcel Energy. The outage left people in Loveland, Johnstown, Milliken and Platteville without power, and it all began when a snake found its way into some equipment in a fenced-off area at a Johnstown substation, Aguayo said.

Front Range Fire Rescue Chief Ron Bateman said crews responded to the substation about 9:39 p.m., near Colo. 60 and Weld County Road 19, between Johnstown and Milliken. By the time they got there, Bateman said, the snake had made its way 12 feet off the ground and its movements in the equipment had caused a small fire. He said firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze without much trouble.

“The snake didn’t fare so well,” he said.

Bateman said it wasn’t immediately clear how exactly the snake caused the fire.

“Mysteries remain,” he added.