Thousands of Calgary residents without power after underground explosion

Calgary,As many as 6,000 residents in Calgary will be in the dark for up to a week, following an underground explosion in Calgary’s sewer system Saturday.
The 8:20 p.m. explosion caused a power outage and an underground electrical fire in Calgary’s sewer system, which houses the city’s power lines. Dozens of firefighters worked overnight to contain the fire, but a number of the power lines were fried.
While crews are working frantically to repair the power outage, the City of Calgary is estimating it will take at least four days to fix — or as long as a week.
A large portion of Calgary’s power infrastructure was destroyed in the fire, which affected 19 intersections, thousands of homes and dozens of offices and businesses.
While the air quality has been deemed safe, city officials and police are urging people without power to stay with family and friends.
An Emergency Operation Centre has been opened. The Calgary Emergency Management Agency is working with Enmax Energy and partners to assess the impact to affected residents and businesses.
The City of Calgary will establish a station for charging cell phones and may also set up an information centre.
There is currently no power between 5th Street SW and 11th Street SW and 4th Avenue SW and 7th Avenue SW.
Calgary Police have also set up a perimeter between 6th Street SW and 11th Street SW and 4th Avenue SW and 7th Avenue SW.
People are allowed in and out of the area contained by the security perimeter, but Calgary Police are there to ensure public safety.

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