Advertisement

Power out in Kelowna neighbourhood after transformer explodes

Click to play video: 'Power out in Kelowna neighbourhood after transformer explodes'
Power out in Kelowna neighbourhood after transformer explodes
Power out in Kelowna neighbourhood after transformer explodes – Jun 15, 2019

The lights flickered in downtown Kelowna, but when a transformer blew on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. near South Rutland, it also coincided with the lights going off for more than 1,000 homes and businesses in the centre of town.

Courtesy: FortisBC. Courtesy: FortisBC

The explosion near Tamarack Dr. sent fire flying into the grass below the power line, setting the grass on fire.

Story continues below advertisement

The Kelowna Fire Department doused the area with water after residents also stepped in to help prevent the blaze from spreading.

FortisBC said power was out in an area east of Dilworth Dr., along the Highway 97 cooridor to Highway 33, bordered by Mission Creek on the south.

READ MORE: UPDATE: 1 dead after vehicle crushed by semi on Highway 97 in West Kelowna

Crews are investigating the exact cause of the outage and estimate power could be restored by 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.

Get daily National news

Get daily Canada news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

 

Story continues below advertisement

Numerous restaurants, grocery stores and hotels are affected by the outage.

A power outage in Kelowna affects grocery stores, restaurants, hotels on a Friday night. Jeff Martin/ Global Okanagan

 

Sponsored content

AdChoices