SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Power has been restored in Rancho Bernardo, after an electrical fire sparked by a hit-and-run crash left homes in the dark Tuesday night.
The crash happened at the intersection of Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road just before 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Authorities say a driver slammed into a utility box, causing it to catch fire and spill gallons of oil into the street.
The driver reportedly took off, but was later picked up by paramedics and taken to the hospital.
Firefighters and hazmat crews cleaned up the mess quickly.
More than 2300 customers were left without power.
"So after we wrapped dinner up, we came down the hill to find this situation. And we're wondering what's gonna happen with our power, and how cold it's gonna be," said Rancho Bernardo Resident Jeff Bloch.
The condition of the driver is not known as of this report, but no other injuries were reported.
There is no word yet if the driver will charges.
This is the latest update. The original story is below.
RANCHO BERNARDO (CBS 8) – Power is expected to be out for thousands of customers in Rancho Bernardo after a car drove into an electrical box, sparking a fire and a chemical leak.
The accident happened at Bernardo Center Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road just before 8 p.m. Tuesday. The box erupted in flames, but firefighters were unable to spray it down with water and put the fire out until SDG&E arrived to stop the electricity flowing to the damaged box.
Firefighters say the crash also caused a chemical to leak from the electrical box into the street. Hazmat crews were called in to help clean up.
The wreck and fire knocked out power to more than 2,300 customers in the area. SDG&E crews were working to restore electricity, but did not expect all homes to be back in service until Wednesday morning.
The driver who hit the utility box reportedly drove away from the scene.
Nobody was injured and there was no further information about the car available.
