More than 3,400 homes, offices, and commercial establishments around Manteca High School were left in the dark Friday evening when strong winds caused a power pole to snap like a giant pencil, sending dangerous live wires scattered on the ground and dangling precariously overhead. The electric pole, which snapped at a point about three feet above the ground, was located at the east end of Mikesell Street, in front of the Manteca One Day School. Emergency crews from Pacific Gas & Electric Company immediately responded to the scene.