PUBLIC SAFETY Costa Mesans lose power after...

PUBLIC SAFETY

Costa Mesans lose

power after outage

An underground transformer outside Triangle Square Tuesday

afternoon paralyzed downtown businesses and triggering power outages

in the area.

No one was hurt in the incident that happened at about 3:20 p.m.

in the 1800 block of Newport Boulevard, but more than 2,000 customers

lost power. Service was restored in an hour to all but 22 customers,

who had to wait until the next morning. However, most businesses in

Triangle Square closed for rest of the day.

Witnesses said they saw a concrete grill cover blow up and shatter

and then saw yellow smoke spewing from the damaged vault. Fire

officials said they did not know what caused the blast, but that

Southern California Edison was investigating it.

* DEEPA BHARATH covers public safety and courts. She may be

reached at (949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at [email protected].