Raccoon Causes Major Power Outage in Downtown Toronto

A raccoon's encounter with Hydro One equipment led to a power outage affecting thousands, highlighting the city's ongoing struggle with wildlife.

Thousands of Toronto Hydro customers experienced a power outage on Thursday evening due to a raccoon interfering with Hydro One equipment.
The outage, which began around 7:40 p.m., was resolved by 10:20 p.m., affecting approximately 7,000 customers at its peak.
Toronto Fire Services responded to several elevator rescues in the downtown area, though no injuries were reported.
Hydro One confirmed the cause of the outage on social media and is exploring ways to prevent future incidents.
The incident has reignited discussions about Toronto's coexistence with raccoons, with some residents calling for the raccoon to become the city's official mascot.