Switching failure causes big power outage

More than 7,000 PUC customers suffered an 11-minute power outage this morning that's being blamed on a fault during switching operations.

The lights went out at 9:06 a.m. but quick-as-a-bunny PUC staffers were immediately on the case and service was restored at 9:17 a.m.

Affected areas included Trunk Road south to the river, Dacey east to the City limits, south of Birchwood to the river, west of Dacey to Denwood, Queen Street East from Barber to Lake and all the side streets, Algoma University Florwin and Thornloe east to Birchwood and Simon, Trunk south to Queen Street East, Elizabeth East to Shannon Road, Trunk south to Queen, Pim and Simpson east to Lake, Queen Street East; north to Norden Crescent.

PUC Distribution believes it's now restored electrical service to all affected addresses.

If you're still in the dark (we assume you're reading this on a battery-powered device or you're pedalling real hard on your human-powered generator, they want you to call their emergency number at 759-6555.