Fire Cuts Power to Thousands Near Wisconsin State Capitol

Thousands of people were left without power after a fire at a Madison Gas and Electric (MG&E) substation in Madison, Wisconsin, on Friday, July 19, according to MG&E.

About 11,600 people were left without power around 9 am on Friday, MG&E said. The number of people affected dropped to about 5,600 around 11.30 am, according to MG&E.

MG&E said it needed to shut off power for a “large number of customers” in order to put out the fire. A “damage assessment” of the MG&E substation and equipment was underway and there was no estimate of when power would be fully restored, an MG&E spokesman said at a press conference.

This video shows dark plumes of smoke near the Wisconsin State Capitol building.

Citing witnesses, local media said City Hall “momentarily lost power” and the Capitol building lost power and was evacuated.

A second substation nearby caught fire shortly after the first, but it did “not appear to have affected” MG&E equipment, the utility company said.

The fire department said the fires were extinguished and there were no injuries.

MG&E also said it does not believe the fires were related to high temperatures in Madison, which was under an excessive heat warning with highs reaching the mid 90s. Credit: Jeff Capaul via Storyful