Lights on but still nobody home in parts of Calgary after major power outage

CALGARY – Street and traffic lights in downtown Calgary are back on this morning, but thousands of residents remain out of their homes after a major power outage in the city Saturday night.

The power failure began after a fire in an underground vault that city electrical utility, Enmax, says will require equipment replacement rather than repairs.

About 5,000 people were affected in the downtown and many office and residential highrises remain in the dark.

Ken Uzeloc, director of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency, says all downtown roads are now reopened and the traffic lights are working but a lot of work remains to be done.

Uzeloc says the city provided 350 hotel rooms for those affected, but space is rapidly running out.

Gianna Manes, president of Enmax, says crews are starting to splice in high-voltage cables and she hopes full power will be restored by Thursday.

At long last: downtown explosions/fire video https://t.co/AI96oCFuWM #yyc #yycthanks #Calgary @nenshi @GlobalCalgary @CTVCalgary @660News

— Crackmacs (@Crackmacs) October 13, 2014

Some people still unaware of expected 5-7 day duration of the blackout. Wellness checks continuing #yycblackout pic.twitter.com/nnKe506OIW

— CalgarySearch&Rescue (@SARCalgary) October 13, 2014

Cars drive through a blacked-out area of downtown Calgary. #yyc #electricalfire @calgaryherald pic.twitter.com/XhBtda9uOH

— Leah Hennel (@leahhennelphoto) October 13, 2014

Calgary blackout a reminder insurance can cover costs when power fails #yyc http://t.co/MI92QOMnUH pic.twitter.com/qBj6V6XkAB

— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) October 14, 2014

Mayor @nenshi acknowledges everyone working hard this Thanksgiving to keep #yyc operational and safe #yycthanks pic.twitter.com/fgRwOLiSzH

— City of Calgary (@cityofcalgary) October 13, 2014

Here’s a map of the downtown #yyc power outage (green) and the security perimeter (pink), from @cityofcalgary #cbc pic.twitter.com/DXtyGQOHnD

— CBC Calgary (@CBCCalgary) October 12, 2014

Calgary’s @nenshi on power outage & story of 94y/o woman rescued from 16th floor@6:30pm @CBCCalgary @BigTravelJunkie pic.twitter.com/LRwdVstWun

— As It Happens (@cbcasithappens) October 13, 2014

“@emmawongchor: Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc, Premier @JimPrentice, Mayor @nenshi @kenthehr at Mewata Armoury w/ evacuees. pic.twitter.com/rrMnGMYN4o“

— Heather Klimchuk (@HeatherKlimchuk) October 13, 2014

Damage due to the #fire downtown #yyc is extensive. We expect power to be out for a min 4-7 days while we rebuild. pic.twitter.com/WEpUic9DIV

— ENMAX (@ENMAX) October 12, 2014

Forgot to put these out earlier courtesy @ENMAX. Here’s what the melted infrastructure looks like in the manhole. pic.twitter.com/x8BDu81PHl

— Bridget Brown (@CTVBridget) October 12, 2014

“tell me what you need, I’ll get it for you” Things go low tech at Kay’s Food market pic.twitter.com/QSdiDceTM6

— Bridget Brown (@CTVBridget) October 13, 2014

Calgary firefighters faced a nasty scenario last night when underground electrical fire first started. #yyc pic.twitter.com/mS3kB5Ct58

— Nancy Argyle (@Plan_Prep_Live) October 12, 2014

This is underground electrical fire in downtown #yyc Saturday night. Many without power. http://t.co/E0SARseUJH pic.twitter.com/Sp5UpFdx2Q

— CTV Calgary (@CTVCalgary) October 12, 2014