Underground Fire Causes Power Outage In South Bend

Associated Press

Underground Fire Causes Power Outage In South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — A power outage has doused lights in downtown South Bend while thousands of people are in town for weekend commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame.

Indiana Michigan Power spokesman Mark Robinson said Friday morning that power is not expected to be restored until Sunday evening.

The utility says it cut off power to the downtown grid Thursday night after an underground fire caused serious damage to power circuits.

South Bend Memorial Hospital is diverting ambulances to other hospitals, but hasn't evacuated patients and will treat emergency room patients. The South Bend Tribune was not able to publish a newspaper on Friday. Police erected stop signs downtown after traffic signals stopped working.

Crews from Fort Wayne and Columbus, Ohio are coming to South Bend to help repair the damage.

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