It’s hoped that power could be restored to some residents of Charlottetown and Pinsent’s Arm, Labrador some time tonight.
Customers in both communities were left without power after fire destroyed the diesel-powered generating plant early this morning.
Resources have been sent to Charlottetown to assess the situation and help to get power restored using back-up generation units already in place.
In the meantime, NL Hydro is advising customers to prepare for extended outages.
We've mobilized all available resources to assist on the ground. There is a possibility some customers may be restored tonight, but power could stay off for everyone into tomorrow. Please stay safe and continue to be prepared for extended outages. More: https://t.co/rV4QAEaMrF https://t.co/V6Rcfatjui
— NLHydro (@NLHydro) October 7, 2019
Earlier Story
Residents of Charlottetown and Pinsent’s Arm, Labrador are without power after fire damaged the diesel generating plant in Charlottetown this morning.
There were no injuries.
Town Manager Stuart MacNab says the Charlottetown Fire Brigade and firefighters from nearby Port Hope Simpson were quick to the scene this morning to knock down the blaze and prevent it from spreading to the back-up generator and fuel tanks. Firefighters are still on scene tackling hot spots.
The fire destroyed the main building and everything inside. A technician from NL Hydro is being flown-in to assess the situation.
MacNab says the first priority is to get the fish plant, the town’s main employer, back up and running as the season is still underway.
Power has been knocked out to some 280 residents and the local clinic is identifying those most in need.
NL Hydro says they are working on restoring power to customers and officials will provide an update as soon as it’s available.