SUFFOLK — A vehicle hit a power pole Thursday in downtown Suffolk, causing a fire that has left about 1,000 Dominion Energy customers without power, according to a release from the city.
Suffolk Emergency Communications Center received a call at 7:09 a.m. about a vehicle striking a power pole in the 500 block of North Main Street. Suffolk Fire was sent to the location, as reports indicated the accident caused a fire.
Engine 1 arrived at 7:17 a.m. and found a single-story commercial building with heavy fire showing from the roof and side of the building.
The vehicle ran through the side of the building and caught fire, causing a blaze in the building. The driver was taken to a trauma center with serious injuries. The power pole that was hit is a main transmission line.
The fire was declared under control at 8:07 a.m., but as of Thurday afternoon, North Main Street is closed at Constance and North Main and Prentis Street. Dominion estimates about 1,000 customers are without power downtown. There was no estimate on how long it will take to repair the power pole.
Suffolk Fire Marshal’s office and the Suffolk Police Department are investigating.
The building was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no firefighters were injured.