LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A fire in an underground utility vault on Wednesday caused a power outage and a traffic shutdown in a part of Clearlake.
Clearlake Police Chief Andrew White said the fire occurred in an underground Pacific Gas and Electric electrical vault located on Lakeshore Drive in the roadway at Olympic Drive.
He said two passersby reported it to the police department as smoke coming from the vault.
“When we arrived on scene, we saw active fire in the vault. Lake County Fire and PG&E responded,” White said.
White said the incident resulted in a power outage along Lakeshore Drive and the surrounding area.
PG&E spokeswoman Deanna Contreras told Lake County News that the power was disrupted just after noon on Wednesday to 2,767 customers.
Contreras said power was restored to all of those customers by 1:40 p.m. Wednesday.
Police also issued a Nixle urging motorists to avoid the area while repairs were underway.
“The cause of the outage was ultimately equipment failure with underground equipment in a vault near Country Club Drive and 12th street in Clearlake,” Contreras said. “A faulty cable came into contact with water and flashed, otherwise known as a flashover, which produced smoke. PG&E worked with first responders to ensure the area was safe while we made repairs and replaced several pieces of the underground equipment safely.”
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Fire in underground utility vault responsible for Wednesday power outage
- Elizabeth Larson
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