THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 14, 1996 TAG: 9606140629
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Metro Briefs
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 21 lines
An underground utility fire is being blamed for twin blackouts Thursday that affected about 9,000 Virginia Power customers, many in the Willoughby section of the city.
A utility spokesman said the first problems occurred about 5:15 p.m. when an underground cable failed at the Oakwood substation. The lights went out in the Willoughby area, East Ocean View, Roosevelt Shores, Chesapeake Manor and Colonial Heights.
Service was restored at 6:45 p.m. But then, at 8:24 p.m., the same circuit failed because of damage from the original fire.
Utility technicians were switching the affected customers to alternate circuits, and all service was expected to be restored by 11 p.m.
KEYWORDS: FIRE by CNB