Manhole fire leaves part of downtown dark

A fire in a downtown manhole damaged an underground electric line early this morning, causing power outages around the courthouse complex that may not be fixed until this afternoon. Five circuits in a manhole in the 500 block of McKee Street caught fire, knocking out power to the downtown post office, the Harris County Family Law Center, the Harris County Juvenile Justice Center, the Crispin Building, the Islamic temple and the King George Hotel, among others. Some street lights on the north end of downtown also aren't working.

UH-Downtown has canceled classes until 4 p.m. today and CenterPoint Energy officials said they're working to switch loads and get power restored. CenterPoint said that will take "several hours" and buildings may not start getting electricity again until noon. The Chronicle reports that 360 commercial and residential customers have been affected.