Explosion and fire at Denver power substation causes blackouts, hospital evacuation

Denver power substation explosion causes blackouts

DENVER — Power has been restored for nearly 31,000 customers who lost it when a substation caught fire near downtown Denver, forcing a hospital evacuation.

Flames shot as high as 70 feet into the air Monday after the blast at about 6:30 p.m. Firefighters needed an hour to contain the fire.

Xcel Energy spokesman Tom Henley said early Tuesday that workers will be going in to the substation after daybreak to determine the physical damage.

The explosion came on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 94 degrees. The power failure caused backups at intersections and stranded dozens in elevators.

Rose Medical Center spokeswoman Cara Harshberger says intensive care patients were transferred to other hospitals.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

DENVER (AP) — An explosion and fire at a power substation near downtown Denver forced a hospital evacuation and caused power outages throughout the area that left as many as 31,000 Xcel Energy customers without electricity.

Flames shot as high as 70 feet into the air Monday after the blast at about 6:30 p.m. Firefighters needed an hour to contain the fire.

The explosion came on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 94 degrees. The power failure caused backups at intersections and stranded dozens in elevators.

Rose Medical Center spokeswoman Cara Harshberger says intensive care patients were transferred to other hospitals because backup generators provided only limited power.

About half of Xcel’s customers had electricity restored by 10:30.