Monday, June 27, 2016

Explosion at a Toronto Hydro vault injures woman, causes power outages


Most power restored after west-end explosion injures woman, knocks customers offline


A Toronto Hydro truck is shown in this file photo. (Chris Fox/CP24.com)


Joshua Freeman, CP24.com
Published Sunday, June 26, 2016 7:26PM EDT
Last Updated Sunday, June 26, 2016 10:36PM EDT


Power has now been restored to most customers in the city’s west end after a hydro vault exploded in the Belgravia neighbourhood.

An explosion was reported at a manhole at Marlee and Hopwell avenues at around 6:40 p.m.

A woman passing by at the time sustained minor burns to her arm when the manhole lid blew off, a Toronto Fire Services spokesperson said. Toronto Paramedic Services said she was taken to hospital to be treated.

Shortly after the explosion, a number of power outages were reported around the city.

Toronto Hydro said the outage originally affected people in an area between Lawrence and St. Clair avenues and between Bathurst Street and Caledonia Road.

However a short time later Toronto Hydro said the outage had been reduced to an area between Glencairn Avenue and Vaughan Road north-south and between Flanders Road and Marlee Avenue east-west.

By 10 p.m., most customers had their power back, but a handful of customers on Hopwell Avenue will likely remain offline until Monday morning, Toronto Hydro said.

More than 500 customers were affected during the height of the outrage.