Fire damage beneath Market Square more extensive, and expensive than initially thought
As things return to normal downtown after Monday morning's underground fire, the investigation is ongoing.
The damage was more extensive than initially reported.
Woodstock Hydro's Jay Heaman calls it one of the most significant disruptions they've had in years. "Basically it was a complete rebuild. We had to replace two transformer banks, all of our primary, and a lot of the secondary service conductors into the businesses. So it was significant damage."
A figure on the damage total won't be available until early next week.
Heaman hopes a meeting tomorrow may help draw them closer to a cause. "I don't think it was weather related. I guess it's possible that water could have played a part, but we don't think so. We have a meeting with Electric Safety Authority tomorrow to go through our own investigation notes and do some brainstorming with them."
Heaman thanks residents, and affected businesses for their patience, along with Woodstock Hydro crews, and two contractors who worked 18-hour days this week to restore power. "We had everyone from our crew there, you have confined space and a lot of codes and rules, safety rules that have to be followed. There is no cutting corners. You have to work safely and the guys did a great job of pulling together."

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