More than 3,000 residents in East Vancouver were left without power on June 17, 2026, after a crane accident brought down power lines. BC Hydro reported the outage in the early afternoon, with crews dispatched to assess and repair the damage.
Cause of the Outage
The incident occurred when a crane operated at a construction site made contact with overhead power lines, causing them to fall. No injuries were reported, but the downed lines created hazardous conditions in the area. BC Hydro urged the public to stay clear of any fallen wires and report them immediately.
Affected Areas
The power outage primarily impacted neighborhoods in East Vancouver, including parts of Hastings-Sunrise, Renfrew-Collingwood, and Kensington-Cedar Cottage. Traffic signals were also affected, leading to congestion at several intersections. Emergency services were on site to manage traffic and ensure public safety.
Restoration Efforts
BC Hydro crews worked through the evening to replace damaged poles and wires. As of 6:00 PM PDT, power had been restored to approximately 1,500 customers, with the remainder expected to have electricity back by late night. The utility company thanked residents for their patience and reminded them to report any ongoing issues via their outage map.
Safety Precautions
Authorities emphasized that downed power lines can remain energized and dangerous. Residents were advised to treat all fallen lines as live and to keep a safe distance. BC Hydro also recommended having an emergency kit ready, including flashlights, batteries, and a portable phone charger.
This incident highlights the risks associated with construction near power infrastructure. BC Hydro and WorkSafeBC are investigating the crane operation to determine if safety protocols were followed.
