WATCH: Footage of emergency crews suppressing underground electrical fire.
Calgary – ENMAX says as many as 5000 downtown residents could be without power for the next four to seven days as it repairs electrical equipment damaged by an explosion and fire.
Key commercial buildings impacted include: Standard Life Building, Bantrel Tower, Fifth and Fifth, AMEC Place, Plaza 1000, Trimac House, and the Calgary Courts buildings.
CEMA is encouraging all businesses that may have large quantities of perishables, such as grocery stores and cafes, to go downtown Sunday and remove the items.
Calgary’s Emergency Management Agency said a community resource centre is set up at Mewata Armoury for affected residents. Food trucks are available there as well.
A loud bang in the area of 5th Avenue and 8th Street SW sent shock waves through the city Saturday night.
Crews were called around 8:30 p.m. when smoke was seen pouring out of a manhole.
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As a safety precaution, ENMAX shut power off so firefighters could get in and douse the underground blaze.
The outages are affecting an area from 4th to 7th Avenue and 5th Street to 11th Street in the west end of downtown.
The city has activated the Emergency Operations Centre to help deal with the fire and power outages.
Officials say residents in the affected area should unplug their stoves and electrical devices to prevent a fire hazard when the power does come on.
An information centre is also being set up at the Mewata Armouries on 11th Street. People can go there to charge their cell phones and also find more help.
C-train service has been restored as well as power to several traffic lights in the area.
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