Underground Electrical Fire Disrupts Businesses in Downtown Little Rock
Wednesday evening saw a dramatic scene in downtown Little Rock as an underground electrical fire broke out on Sixth Street, causing significant disruptions to businesses in the area. The fire, located near the Arkansas Repertory Theatre, was reported around 6 p.m. with smoke billowing from manhole covers.
Crews from the Little Rock Fire Department responded swiftly, observing that the blaze was confined to an underground electrical vault. Fire officials did not enter the vault but ensured the fire did not spread, and it eventually self-extinguished. Following this, Entergy crews were called to the scene to address a lost circuit that left several businesses without power.
Power restoration efforts began, and Entergy crews managed to reroute power to some customers by 7:45 p.m., with most businesses receiving power back by 9 p.m. The full extent of the damage included about 500 damaged copper cables that needed to be cleaned, replaced, and reconnected. This process was ongoing the following day as crews continued to work underground to repair the damage.
The incident showed the swift response and coordination of local authorities and utility companies, ensuring that the fire was contained and power was restored quickly, minimizing the impact on businesses and residents in the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
