After an extensive investigation, we have released our findings related to the cause of the Sept. 11, 2023, fire and outage in the downtown area, specifically in the area surrounding E. Kiowa Street.
The investigation revealed that a private contractor likely damaged underground electric cables on E. Kiowa Street by operating a core drill without following state-mandated locate protocols. A core drill is truck mounted and typically used to install underground pipe or wire.
Despite extensive evaluation of City permits and our own locate records, we were unable to connect the point of origin to a specific contractor and/or timeframe.
We estimate restoration costs were approximately $1.2 million, although this figure could change slightly as more analysis is conducted.
After the outage, we made extensive electric system repairs and enhancements. Crews also successfully installed new fiber optic network cables and replaced 65 feet of 1940s-era water main and several water valves. These proactive repairs save money and limit the risk of future disruptions to local businesses and traffic.
The outage occurred at approximately 2:34 a.m. on Sept. 11 along Kiowa Street between Tejon Street and Nevada Avenue.