SUFFOLK — A vehicle hit a power pole in downtown Suffolk, causing a fire that has left about 1,000 Dominion Energy customers without power, according to a news release from the city of Suffolk.
At 7:09 a.m. Thursday, Suffolk Emergency Communications Center received a call that a vehicle had a struck a power pole in the 500 block of North Main Street. Suffolk Fire was then sent to the location, as the vehicle hitting the power pole caused a fire.
At 7:17 a.m., Engine 1 arrived to the scene and found a single-story commercial building with heavy fire showing from the roof and side of the building.
A vehicle ran through the side of the building and caught fire, causing the building to catch fire. The driver was taken to a trauma center with serious injuries. The power pole that was hit is a main transmission line.
The fire was declared under control at 8:07 a.m., but as of Thurday afternoon, North Main Street is closed down at Constance and North Main and Prentis Street. Dominion Energy also estimates that about 1,000 customers are without power in downtown. There was not an estimated time on how long it will take to repair the power pole.
Suffolk Fire Marshal’s office and the Suffolk Police Department are investigating the situation.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no firefighters were injured.
