For two hours Thursday, Jamestown residents could only talk on the phone to people with 932 phone exchanges because a problem with processing equipment in the AllTel central office in Conneaut Lake, said Lynn Miller, communications manager for the phone company.

Between 4:20 p.m. and 6:10 p.m. Thursday, Jamestown residents with 932 exchanges could not make calls or receive calls outside the exchange, the spokeswoman said.

During the service disruption, Jamestown residents could not call 911. To handle any problems, Jamestown volunteer firefighters manned the fire station and Mercer County 911, with a cable television announcement, told residents to call the fire station at 932-5009 for emergencies.

The equipment problem was fixed quickly and service was restored by 6:10 p.m., Ms. Miller said.