B.C.

Explosions and a fire at a BC Hydro substation knocked out power to more than 30,000 people in the Chilliwack-Abbotsford area east of Vancouver on Friday morning.

Hydro said it had restored power to about half of the customers within a couple of hours, while fire crews were working to control the blaze that produced thick black smoke.

The fire ripped through a substation, and RCMP warned local residents to keep their windows closed because the smoke was toxic.

Hydro spokesman Chris Brumwell says all the workers at the site have been accounted for and confirmed safe, and one was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.

He says the cause of the explosions are under investigation and an environmental assessment team will also be examining the site of the blast.