Power restored after fire under Metro Vancouver bridge darkens neighbourhood

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. – Officials in New Westminster, B.C., say power has been restored to thousands of residents, but why high voltage lines under a major bridge exploded and burned is still under investigation.

A tweet from the city says the electrical lines damaged early Wednesday have been replaced and re-energized.

Homes, businesses and two schools at the eastern tip of Lulu Island, in the Queensborough neigbourhood were blacked out when the lines under the Queensborough Bridge burst into flames.

The blaze also forced closure of the bridge, which is a key commuter link, carrying about 80-thousand vehicles daily between New Westminster and Highway 91.

Three of the bridge’s four lanes were reopened in time for the Wednesday afternoon commute, avoiding the lengthy traffic jams that clogged traffic for hours earlier in the day.

New Westminster officials say crews have completed work on the cables and the fourth lane of the bridge has reopened.