A fire at a hydro substation in Minden Hills Township on Thursday knocked out power to more than 23,000 customers and forced the evacuation of nearby homes.
The fire broke out around 4 p.m. at the station along County Road 21, a stretch of road between Minden and Haliburton commonly known as the Allsaw Flats.
OPP closed the road and forced some residents to leave their homes due to the excess smoke.
Minden and Hydro One officials say more than 23,000 customers lost power in Minden Hills, Haliburton Highlands and northern sections of the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Fire crews from Minden, Dysart et al and Algonquin township spent hours battling the fire in the middle of a severe thunderstorm.
Residents were permitted to return to their homes later in the evening.
Power was restored to the majority of homes and businesses just before 10 p.m. but there are still pockets of customers without power on Friday morning.
Fire crews remain on scene on Friday.
The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.
More to come.