HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) – An underground electrical fire was reported in an area of ​​Elm Street in Hartford Wednesday morning.

Fire officials told Channel 3 that the fire at 55 Elm St. caused a power outage around 4 a.m

Eversource reported 9,000 customers without power.

Hartford Hospital was among them. However, the fire department said the hospital has backup power.

“The safety and care of our patients and colleagues remains our top priority as we work to address a power outage in the city of Hartford, including Hartford Hospital,” said Hartford Hospital spokeswoman Tina Varona. “That’s why we’re currently working with generator power. While most essential clinical functions are performed, there are limitations such as non-functioning elevators, garage doors, and public spaces. We continue to assess the situation. Hospital operations are currently running normally and the care of our patients is not affected. Patients will be contacted directly if the power outage impacts their scheduled surgeries.”

The surrounding area continued to be affected as the morning progressed.

“Eversource has isolated the electrical safe,” said Mario Oquendo, Jr., District Chief of the Hartford Fire Department. “The companies were able to enter and extinguish all visible fires using dry chemical extinguishers.”

Oquendo said it appears Eversource will be working in the area indefinitely.

There is no information on how the fire started or how long the outage was expected to last.

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