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Thousands of Austinites Without Power After Fire at Austin Energy Grid

What Happened?

On January 17, 2023, a fire broke out at Austin Energy's downtown substation, leaving thousands of Austinites without power. The fire started at around 2:30 p.m. and quickly spread, causing extensive damage to the substation.

Who Was Affected?

The fire affected a wide area of downtown Austin, including the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas State Capitol, and the Austin Convention Center. The outage also affected traffic lights, businesses, and schools.

What Caused the Fire?

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. However, Austin Energy officials believe that it may have been caused by a transformer failure. The fire is the second major power outage in Austin in less than a year. In February 2022, a winter storm caused widespread power outages across the city.

What's Being Done?

Austin Energy crews are working to repair the damage and restore power to affected customers. The utility has also brought in additional crews from other parts of the state to help with the repairs.

When Will Power Be Restored?

Austin Energy estimates that power will be restored to most customers by the end of the day on January 18, 2023. However, some customers may not have power restored until later this week.

What Can You Do?

If you are without power, please take the following steps:

• Check to see if your neighbors have power. If they do, the outage may be limited to your home.
• Call Austin Energy at 512-494-9400 to report the outage.
• Turn off or unplug appliances and electronics to prevent damage when power is restored.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed to keep food cold.
• If you have a generator, follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.

Conclusion

The fire at Austin Energy's downtown substation is a major event that has affected thousands of Austinites. Austin Energy is working to restore power to affected customers as quickly as possible. In the meantime, customers should take steps to stay safe and conserve energy.