WASHINGTON -- An underground cable fire left almost 3,000 homes and businesses in downtown Washington without electricity for about four hours Monday morning, Pepco said.
The fire occurred at about 3:40 a.m. Monday in the area of 17th and M streets in northwest Washington, cutting power to a five-block area, spokesman Clay Anderson said.
Power was restored to almost all buildings shortly before 8 a.m.
The outage knocked out traffic signals along Connecticut Avenue as well as 15th and 17th streets, according to D.C.'s transportation department. Crews set up portable stop signs to help with traffic.
Power has since been restored.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
