All they need to do is disconnect the neutral line on the neighborhood distribution transformers. They could even blame that on copper thieves. That will cause one of the 120v legs to overvolt if the loads aren't balanced. The properties of the MOV devices in surge protectors make thermal runaway likely when subject to sustained high voltage. The open neutral conditions may not generate enough voltage for this to happen, you would see 240v max if the other leg was shorted. Devices likely to burn from overvoltage are fan motors and older transformer based power supplies.
All they need to do is disconnect the neutral line on the neighborhood distribution transformers. They could even blame that on copper thieves. That will cause one of the 120v legs to overvolt if the loads aren't balanced. The properties of the MOV devices in surge protectors make thermal runaway likely when subject to sustained high voltage. The open neutral conditions may not generate enough voltage for this to happen, you would see 240v max if the other leg was shorted. Devices likely to burn from overvoltage are fan motors and older transformer based power supplies.