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Hydro One says the massive fire that engulfed downtown Toronto may have been caused by a crane pulling high-voltage wires across the city’s substation.
Spokesperson Tiziana Baccega Rosa said the company is investigating reports that the construction equipment may have come into contact with the overhead lines while passing through the port on Thursday morning.
He said crews were working “as quickly and safely as possible” to restore power.
Rosa said they are doing their best to move power from remote areas to crime-affected areas, but could not provide a timeline for when full service would be restored.
Toronto Fire Chief Stephan Powell told CP24 that at this time people are being urged to avoid the area of Bouchette and Commissioners Streets where the incident happened. “The (downed) wire is still alive as we know but there is still a risk of electric shock,” he said, adding that electricity is standing at both ends of the road to make people leave.
He also said that the firefighters are watching in case one of the lines collapses and catches fire.
There are no reports of injuries at this time, Powell said, adding that workers are rescuing several people trapped in the elevator this afternoon due to the damage.
Toronto Hydro said more than 10,000 customers were in the dark at one point, but power has been restored to some of those customers.
