Underground Fire Kills Power in Iowa

July 17, 2010
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A fire underground knocked out power to part of downtown Des Moines on Thursday morning. Firefighters were called to 11th Street and Mulberry Street after smoke started rolling out of manhole covers in the area. Officials said an electrical equipment fail underground caused the fire and cut power around 10:15 a.m. Fire crews were able to put out the fire. Officials with MidAmerican Energy then moved to assess the damage and start repairs. By 1:15 p.m. power had been restored to the area.

DES MOINES, Iowa --

A fire underground knocked out power to part of downtown Des Moines on Thursday morning.

Firefighters were called to 11th Street and Mulberry Street after smoke started rolling out of manhole covers in the area. Officials said an electrical equipment fail underground caused the fire and cut power around 10:15 a.m.

Fire crews were able to put out the fire. Officials with MidAmerican Energy then moved to assess the damage and start repairs. By 1:15 p.m. power had been restored to the area.

Power was out to Hotel Fort Des Moines, the Hubbell building, some Wells Fargo offices, Allied offices and the Financial Center building. Some of the buildings switched to backup generators.

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