Bakersfield City Fire Officials say a small explosion sparked a fire at the AT&T building in Downtown Bakersfield Tuesday night, leading to a power outage affecting homes and businesses in the surrounding area.
Officials say just before 5:00 p.m. they received a call for the fire, but say firefighters at their nearby station saw the smoke before that call. They say because of their close proximity to the AT&T building on H Street, they were able to quickly respond and contain the flames.
City Fire says oil for electrical transformers was located inside an underground electrical vault, where the fire broke out. Officials say they believe that oil ignited and created a small explosion. They say the fire was contained to that underground vault and did not spread to the actual building. Two cars near the vault were damaged, and no one was injured.
A power outage was reported at the same time as the explosion. BCFD says the outage is related and they have called PG&E to the scene to help restore power. Classes were canceled Tuesday night at BC's downtown location, the Weill Institute. All other locations will have classes.
Classes have been canceled tonight November 20, 2018 at BC’s downtown location, the Weill Institute, due to a power outage only. Classes at all other BC locations will still take place. Stay tuned for further information. #BakersfieldCollege pic.twitter.com/cF0MRgOGtW
— A Better BC (@ABetterBC2016) November 21, 2018
