Quote Originally Posted by USA Today
DETROIT — A massive cable failure triggered a huge power outage in downtown Detroit Tuesday, knocking out electricity to most public buildings, trapping many people in elevators and cutting power to police departments, fire stations, schools, jails and traffic lights.The "major cable failure" shut down the grid at about 10:30 a.m., according to a statement from the City of Detroit, affecting at least 100 major customers, such as the fire department, which have numerous individual facilities.
At least 1,000 sites were hit by the blackout, the Detroit Free Press reports.
"We have isolated the issue and are working to restore power as soon as possible," according to the statement by the city.
Traffic lights began coming back on at many intersections around 11:45 a.m. and in the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, where many people were evacuated through stairwells, WJBK-TV reported.
Other affected buildings included the Detroit Institute of Arts and Wayne State,
Cue riots and looting in 5..4..3...