No power in large section of downtown Portland

PORTLAND – A big chunk of downtown Portland is without power because of a fire in an underground vault.

Pacific Power says the lights are expected remain off until 9 p.m. Tuesday.

Callers began reporting smoke coming from underground grates early Monday evening. Portland Fire & Rescue extinguished the fire, but the utility had to shut off power to prevent further damage.

Shortly before 8 p.m., the lights went out at shops, bars, restaurants, a movie theater and Powell’s Books. The outage forced the cancellation of a concert by alternative rock band The Jesus and Mary Chain.

Pacific Power spokesman Tom Gauntt says the outage affects more than 2,000 customers. That represents meters, not people.

Authorities have not said what caused the fire in the vault that contains electrical equipment.