Electrical Fire Knocks Out Power in Downtown Vancouver

by carolbrowne | July 14, 2008 at 12:33 pm | 194 views | add comment | 0 recommendations

At least two electrical fires have caused severe power outages in Vancouver's downtown business core, leaving more than 4,500 without power.

Street lights are down, shops have closed, and some are reportedly trapped in elevators in buildings without power. Police say the power outage affects the area between Beatty and Burrard, from Hastings to Robson.

Traffic officers have been dispatched to keep the situation under control, and the Marble Arch Hotel has been evacuated, according to local news sources.

Many stores in the Granville Street commercial area have closed, but some have chosen to use flashlights for customers still wanting to shop.

The Vancouver Police strongly suggest people stay away from the downtown core.

Rachel Nixon filed this voice report:

"This is Rachel Nixon. I'm calling on behalf of the NowPublic team about the Vancouver fires. It's Monday, the 14th of July. As previously reported on NowPublic there are severe power outages in Downtown Vancouver because of electrical fires. The BC Hydro website is talking about more than 1,000 clients affected around the Waterfront area of Vancouver, in Gastown and also the Seymour Street area. I went down the street and saw smoke billowing from one hole on Richards Street where police had cordoned it off and were re-directing traffic. BC Hydro says it could be a few hours before the power comes back on. This is Rachel Nixon reporting for NowPublic."

Uploaded by carolbrowne | July 14, 2008 at 12:33 pm | 194 views | add comment