1/3 of San Francisco without power this morning.

[WXBUFFJIM]

The areas affected include downtown San Francisco, North Beach near the Fishermen's Wharf, and the Chinatown area, which is in the vicinity of downtown San Francisco as well.

The cause of this massive power blackout was a fire at an electrical substation. The fire broke out at 6 pm Saturday at a Pacific Gas and Electric substation that feeds into smaller substations.

After the substation was reopened, power was restored to half the affected customers in the San Francisco area that were left in the dark. However the fire in the substation was not fully contained. As a result, power was shutdown for the North Beach, Downtown, and Chinatown areas once again for safety reasons. It's unclear when this area will have power back.

The cause of this substation fire is under investigation. However there is no signs of breaking in or anyone setting off the fire intentially. However folks shopping, seeing movies, and navigating streets in the dark were in a tough position. A crippling scene as you can imagine for the city by the bay.

Jim

[wx247]

Power outages are always an inconvenience. I can imagine how much so for a big city around the holidays.

[stormraiser]

Yeah, I can imagine the inconviences of trying to finalize your shopping and all. And it wasn't weather related, so it was unexpected.

[therock1811]

I can imagine...and it takes me back to Aug. 14...spooky...