{"id":553,"date":"2014-10-13T16:34:39","date_gmt":"2014-10-13T23:34:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/?p=553"},"modified":"2020-05-16T23:52:57","modified_gmt":"2020-05-17T06:52:57","slug":"calgary-blackout-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/?p=553","title":{"rendered":"The Calgary Blackout of 2014: timeline of events"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><strong>Blackout\u00a0in Calgary from 2014<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>On Saturday, October 11, 2014 Calgary suffered a blackout as a result of an underground electrical fire located on 8 Street SW between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue. The following is a rough timeline of the events as we saw them, living directly beside it.<\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\" async=\"\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>8:17 pm: <\/strong>Honking heard from outside. Found streetlights on 8 street SW were malfunctioning from 4 Avenue to 10th Avenue. Some lights all green, others all red, some flashing, one completely dark. We called the non-emergency Calgary Police line to report it. Police and transit on scene immediately to direct traffic.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_555\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-555\" style=\"width: 641px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-555\" src=\"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic-620x465.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"651\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic-620x465.jpg 620w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic-920x690.jpg 920w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic-150x112.jpg 150w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/traffic.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 651px) 100vw, 651px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-555\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">6th avenue traffic<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BztnFTFIEAAqwYy.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Traffic lights out along 5th avenue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>\u00a08:18 pm: <\/strong>Calgary Transit tweets they are aware of traffic lights out.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Due to a traffic signal malfunction at 7 avenue and 8 street SW, we are experiencing a minor delay in train service. *JR<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Calgary Transit (@calgarytransit) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/calgarytransit\/status\/521122794017656832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 12, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>8:21 pm: <\/strong>Calgary Fire Department on scene.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bztoy5tCcAAz-Gr.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">CFD shows up<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>8:23pm: <\/strong>Surrounding buildings report loss of Shaw services.<\/p>\n<p><strong>8:31pm: <\/strong>Firefighters descend into manhole to investigate. (Did not witness them leave the manhole)<\/p>\n<p><strong>8:40pm: <\/strong>ENMAX on site.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 641px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BztreLxCYAADWQ5.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"651\" height=\"488\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">6th avenue and 8th street sw<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>9:09 pm: <\/strong>Loud explosion heard, small amount of smoke visible from uncovered manhole.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bztxym8IUAEqR83.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"651\" height=\"488\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:12 pm: <\/strong>ENMAX and Calgary Fire Department reverse to a safe distance from smoking manhole.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BztymfgCUAEAmJi.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:24 pm: <\/strong>More explosions heard, smoke intensifies.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Smoke coming out of manhole\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7jbBEqVKHco?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: block; text-align: center;\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8929898332596219\" data-ad-slot=\"8792267315\"><\/ins><\/p>\n<p><script>\n     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:39 pm: <\/strong>Burning plastic smell prominent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9:40 pm: <\/strong>CFD battalion chief arrive (two vehicles).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt5XcLIUAEMhAq.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"650\" height=\"488\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:45 pm: <\/strong>Smoke intensifies.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt7KvQCYAEjne2.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">more smokes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>9:48 pm: <\/strong>Multiple explosions.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt7kT0IQAE6Cb5.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Getting hazy.. we started breathing through cloth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>9:51 pm: <\/strong>Multiple explosions accompanied black, acrid smoke. (Placed bandanas and towels over our faces).<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt9LSrCcAAJnuJ.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"608\" height=\"456\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:53 pm: <\/strong>Power lost in the area and alarms heard sounding in surrounding buildings.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 641px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"decoded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt84RKCQAABr7i.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"651\" height=\"488\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">6th avenue runs directly down the middle of this photo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>9:57 pm: <\/strong>ENMAX tweets awareness of the situation.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">ENMAX is aware and addressing the situation.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; ENMAX (@ENMAX) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ENMAX\/status\/521147562586169344?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 12, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>9:58 pm: <\/strong>Calgary Police Services tweets awareness of ENMAX issue.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Enmax is investigating underground electrical disturbances at 8 ST X 5 AV SW. Pls avoid this area. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/yyc?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#yyc<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/yyctraffic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#yyctraffic<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CalgaryPolice\/status\/521147985200447488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 12, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>10:01 pm: <\/strong>Power back on.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt9-X0IQAA8H_f.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Yey power!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>10:02 pm: <\/strong>Power lost for good.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt84znCIAIT8af.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">aaand it&#8217;s gone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>10:06 pm: <\/strong>Flames visible in the manhole.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_562\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-562\" style=\"width: 684px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-562\" src=\"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/flames.png\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"694\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/flames.png 589w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/flames-250x147.png 250w, https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/flames-150x88.png 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 694px) 100vw, 694px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-562\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Some blue fire<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>10:08 pm: <\/strong>Massive CFD engine response. Counted 15 that we could see on 8 street as well as 6 Avenue SW.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"shrinkToFit decoded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt_mvTCcAAKyMG.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"490\" height=\"653\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Along 6th avenue<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 320px; height: 100px;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-8929898332596219\" data-ad-slot=\"5666329163\"><\/ins><br \/>\n<script>\/\/ <![CDATA[ (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \/\/ ]]><\/script><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 482px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"shrinkToFit decoded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/Bzt_nJhCMAAJ1jY.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"492\" height=\"657\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">8th street<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>10:14 pm: <\/strong>Conducted telephone interview with 660 News about what we were seeing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>10:21 pm: <\/strong>Smoke and flames intensify. CFD vehicles move to a safer distance.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"shrinkToFit decoded alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BzuB5xaCIAAL3iX.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"492\" height=\"657\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>10:34 pm: <\/strong>Mayor Naheed Nenshi tweets awareness of the situation.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I don&#39;t yet have any more information about the situation downtown but avoid west end if you can. If you are there please stay put for now.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Naheed Nenshi (@nenshi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/nenshi\/status\/521156833709658112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 12, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><strong>10:38 pm: <\/strong>Calgary Fire Department tweets awareness of situation.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Our members are dealing with a serious underground fire at this hour. Please avoid 8th St. S.W. between 4th Ave &amp; 9th Ave. <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CGYFireFighters?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@CGYFireFighters<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Calgary Firefighters Association (@CGYFireFighters) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CGYFireFighters\/status\/521158024418062337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 12, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><strong>10:42 pm: <\/strong>CFD starts placing hoses out in anticipation of spraying fire retardant.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"decoded overflowing alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BzuHYXxIAAA4yo7.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>10:46 pm: <\/strong>CFD sprays fire retardant.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 491px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"decoded overflowing\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BzuKHOXCQAAM6BV.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"501\" height=\"668\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">spray!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>11:09 pm: <\/strong>Fire declared out and spraying is complete.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"TwitterPhoto-mediaSource\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BzuVV70CUAATS-u.jpg:large\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"500\" height=\"667\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">CFD win!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>11:39 pm: <\/strong>Smoke sets off alarm in the basement of the East Calgary Place tower, putting both towers in alarm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11:42 pm: <\/strong>Smoke no longer coming from manhole. Area filled with white fire retardant.<\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 482px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"shrinkToFit decoded\" src=\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BzukfVVIMAEnvaP.jpg\" alt=\"Calgary Blackout\" width=\"492\" height=\"657\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">Finally out and over.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>11:52 pm: <\/strong>Calgary Place alarm silenced.<\/p>\n<p><strong>12:00 am: Investigation begins.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h2>Calgary Blackout video<\/h2>\n<p>Here is a compilation of all the videos that we recorded with our camcorder during the emergency. Not all clips are in the right order but we had to work fast with a generator to get this post accomplished. &#8211; Mrs &amp; Mr. Crackmacs &lt;3<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Downtown Calgary underground fire, smoke and the response.\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/gAYC4xMElyY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Calgary Blackout: Evacuation<\/h2>\n<p>This notice came over our in-suite intercom multiple times, warning us to evacuate or be prepared to evacuate if it becomes mandatory.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Calgary Place alarm advising evacuation\" width=\"1200\" height=\"675\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vpblZB-jRIk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Calgary Blackout Conclusion<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>Investigators believe the origin of the fire was a relay used to control street lights. Due to the extent of the damage caused by the fire and a subsequent blaze a few hours later, investigators cannot determine what caused the relay failure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/newsroom.calgary.ca\/manhole-fire-investigation-concluded\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/newsroom.calgary.ca\/manhole-fire-investigation-concluded<\/a><\/p>\n<h4><\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blackout\u00a0in Calgary from 2014 On Saturday, October 11, 2014 Calgary suffered a blackout as a result of an underground electrical fire located on 8 Street &#8230; <a title=\"The Calgary Blackout of 2014: timeline of events\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/?p=553\" aria-label=\"Read more about The Calgary Blackout of 2014: timeline of events\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":4655,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[215],"tags":[261],"class_list":["post-553","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-downtown","infinite-scroll-item","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Calgary-blackout.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=553"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14074,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/553\/revisions\/14074"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=553"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crackmacs.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}