Smoke billows up from a manhole cover

uploaded by Rachel Nixon July 14, 2008 at 11:50 am
303 views | 0 comments | 0 recommendations

Smoke billows up from a manhole cover by Rachel Nixon

As seen from an alleyway off Seymour at Dunsmuir.

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 affected areas near Waterfront Station, Gastown, and Seymour Street.

Police officers have been dispatched to keep the situation under control, and at least one 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.

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."