As many as 9,000 businesses and households in Montreal's downtown core lost power around 2 p.m. Thursday.
Hydro Quebec said that a problem with the Dorchester substation caused the blackout.
The affected area spanned from, roughly, Guy St. to Alexandre DeSeve. St., and from Roy St. to St. Paul St. in Old Montreal.
Employees of stores in the area, including the underground city, evacuated customers to street level.
Power was restored to most places by 3 p.m., and all customers had electricity restored by 4:30 p.m.
