Sweltering temperatures and widespread power outages put a damper on 4th of July celebrations.

It's miserable on Margaret Drive in Takoma Park, Maryland.

A tree that tore down wires Friday has not been touched.

Some homes got power back then lost it.

And the pets are sweltering in homes like Lynn Quarles’ in Takoma Park.

“First of all, I'm definitely worried about my cats because heat isn’t good for any animal and a lot of them are suffering right now,” said Quarles. “I'm more worried about myself."

Maggy Sterner, blacked out since Friday, got power from neighbors until theirs went off again.
"I feel outraged and totally beside myself about this," said Sterner.

She's furious at the power company saying she has called every day to Pepco Power Company and there is still a tree down around the corner from her home that took down power lines.

“We do take responsibility, and we know there's things that had to be changed,” said Thomas Graham, Pepco Regional President. “We're just working through it as best we can.”

Power companies in the Mid-Atlantic had to bring in repair crews from as far away as Florida.
They're working 16 hour days, but the job's gigantic.

Dangers remain and first responders are overworked.

Several 4th of July fireworks have been cancelled by many municipalities.