Power station blast spurs P.R. blackout

AN EXPLOSION Sunday at a main substation in northern Puerto Rico triggered a blackout in an area beset by power woes since a monster hurricane plunged the island into darkness five months ago.

The island’s utility company said electricity had been restored to 75% capacity after Hurricane Maria decimated the U.S. territory in late September. But that was before the explosion Sunday set off a huge fire at a main power substation, knocking out electricity in several towns and parts of the capital of San Juan.

The latest setback comes as more than 400,000 power customers remain in the dark. Maria destroyed two-thirds of the island’s power-distribution system and caused some $94 billion in damage.