An underground electric transformer blew on Saturday in Newark, causing smoke to billow from several manhole covers and knocking out power to about 1,500 customers including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
A concert by Grammy-winning guitarist Eric Johnson, scheduled Saturday night at NJPAC, was canceled, the venue tweeted.
Power to the venue had been restored as of Sunday morning, NJPAC tweeted. The Dodge Poetry Festival, which was canceled on Saturday, was slated to continue Sunday.
The neighborhood-wide blackout was centered around Park Place and Rector Street, right outside the performing arts center, PSE&G said. Traffic lights in the area were also out.
Others without power included the Rutgers University residence hall at Washington place, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Robert Treat Hotel, the Hahne building and the IDT headquarters.
There were reports of four manhole fires starting around 2:45 p.m. A popping sound could be heard under the street hours later.
No injuries have been reported.
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PSE&G said crews were on site.
It didn't appear to be gas related, PSE&G said.
