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Canwest News Service
Two of three BC Hydro workers injured in an incident in an underground electrical vault at Seymour and Georgia in Vancouver Wednesday have been released from hospital.
BC Hydro spokeswoman Susan Danard said Wednesday night that one man remained in hospital with serious second- or possibly third-degree burns.
One of those released was treated for smoke inhalation; the other for burns, she said.
No names were released.
The incident occurred at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday.
Wade Pierlot, assistant chief operations, said fire crews arrived at the scene to find three Hydro workers "topside, already out the manhole."
He said the three were taken by ambulance to the burn unit of Vancouver General Hospital.
Pierlot said the electrical vault had been isolated. Downtown traffic was diverted from the downtown area, causing added congestion for Christmas shoppers.
A section of Seymour Street between Robson and Georgia remained closed to traffic Wednesday evening, except for transit buses, the city of Vancouver said in a news release.
Motorists were being advised to avoid that area.
BC Hydro and WorkSafeBC are investigating.
"We are trying to determine the nature of the incident, if it was electrical, fire, or some other reason," said Pierlot.
"We are not sure what their work involved."
ticrawford@vancouversun.com
lpynn@vancouversun.com
