Two downtown businesses are still without power in the wake of Tuesday’s explosion.
The UNBC Wood Innovation Research Lab and Heartbreakers nightclub are right next to the former Achillion Greek Cuisine restaurant at 422 Dominion St. that blew up in a fireball at about 7 a.m. Tuesday.
Both adjacent buildings were damaged in the blast. Debris from the explosion breached the metal cladding on the west wall of the research lab, which caused extensive damage.
BC Hydro spokesperson Mike Kellett said the power was shut off soon after the explosion was reported by emergency personnel and 126 customers in the immediate area were affected.
“Crews weren’t allowed on the site for obvious safety reasons until Tuesday afternoon and we had power restored to almost all customers by 2:45 to 3 p.m. that day,” said Kellett.
“Both those buildings (Research Lab and Heartbreakers) had enough damage that we weren’t able to restore power. But we will obviously work with those customers to restore power, it’ll just take some time.”
Three people were injured in the explosion, including a woman working in the area who suffered critical injuries and was flown to Vancouver for treatment.
Cleanup continued Thursday with workers dressed in white hazmat suits gathering debris.
Dominion Street, between Fourth and Fifth Avenue, remains closed.
