Massive blackout throughout Yucatan caused by fire in Campeche power station
Friday’s brief but sweeping blackout was caused by a fire at a CFE station in Campeche, the utility confirmed today.
The fire at La Joya, Campeche, disabled two high-voltage lines that reach from Escárcega, Campeche to Ticul, Yucatan. The cause of the fire is unknown.
Sporadic blackouts were reported around 7 p.m. in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Chetumal and Merida.
In Merida, some neighborhoods were unaffected — residents in Santa Ana and Santiago posted on Facebook that lights were still on — while others were in the dark for as long as a half hour.
Merida’s Plaza Grande de Mérida lost power, disrupting a demonstration held for the International Day of the Woman.
Over 350,000 customers were affected; of those, 254,000 were in Yucatan and 97,700 were in Quintana Roo, CFE reported.
Customers can call the CFE’s 24-hour hotline at 071, or message the utility on Twitter at @CFE_Contigo to report any problems.
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