Key points
- A fire at a PG&E substation is believed to have triggered the outage, prompting transit disruptions and public safety warnings.
- Utilities crews are working to restore service, with partial power returns reported and full restoration expected overnight.
ISLAMABAD: A significant power outage plunged large parts of San Francisco into darkness on Saturday, leaving approximately 130,000 consumers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) without electricity.
The rare incident of an outage has also prompted authorities to warn residents to stay safe amid transport disruptions.
According to utility data and local officials, the outage began in the late morning, and the power remained out throughout the early afternoon, affecting about one-third of the city’s electricity customers, including neighbourhoods such as Richmond, Presidio and areas around Golden Gate Park, according to AP News.
Fire officials reported a blaze at a PG&E substation near 8th and Mission Streets in the South of Market area in the mid-afternoon, which is believed to have contributed to the broader outage. The fire was brought under control, but the exact cause remains under investigation, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
The blackout resulted in widespread closures of restaurants and shops, darkened streetlights and traffic signals, and disrupted public transportation services across the city. San Francisco’s main transit systems, including BART and Muni services, experienced delays, closures or rerouting as a result of the power loss.
City officials urged residents to avoid non-essential travel, treat intersections with non-functioning traffic lights as four-way stops, and check on vulnerable neighbours while restoration efforts continue. Power was restored to a substantial number of customers by late evening, with utility crews working to return service to all affected areas overnight.
