[m1-lightning]

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A massive power outage swept across swaths of the eastern United States and Canada on Thursday, leaving sections of New York City, Detroit, Cleveland and Toronto without electricity, witnesses said.



Subways in New York came to a complete halt, and power was out at all three of the New York area's major airports. Commuter train service also came to a halt, and cellular telephone service was disrupted.


CNN reported a fire at a Con Edison power plant in Manhattan.


The Oyster Creek nuclear power plant in Forked River, New Jersey was not functioning, according to people familiar with the plant's operation.


A spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said they did not know the reason for the power outages, but said the department was looking into it.

[Petronski]

Well, if it isn't terrorism, I bet there's some al-qaida-types slapping their foreheads right now: "I shoulda thoughta that!"

[utahagen]

OK, the word on the web is that this has to do with some burnout of the Niagra Power station. HOWEVER, if this is the real reason, why wasn't that the lead story, or why didn't that reason at least get posted a few minutes after the power outage?

I don't usually think Conspiracy Theories hold much water, but I'll be suspicious about this even if there eventaully is an offical announcemnt blaming Niagra.

[Ditter]

EEekkkk I never thought about it before but how do you get out of a subway when the power fails?