‘Domino effect’ leads to underground electrical fire outside Cuyahoga County Justice Center

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - The Cleveland Fire Department responded to a large underground electrical fire Friday morning outside the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.

Cleveland Fire said around 10:30 a.m. that crews were on the scene of the fire at Lakeside Avenue and West 4th Street Friday morning.

Lakeside Avenue from Ontario Street to West 3rd Street was shut down but has since reopened, according to the city.

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne called the events “a domino effect” that first started with a water main break that damaged an electrical transformer and caused the fire.

Cleveland Fire put out the blaze quickly, Ronayne said.

Ronayne also confirmed that the old courthouse and the city clerk’s office have been evacuated.

The Cuyahoga County Justice Center will reopen at 5 p.m.

The City of Cleveland released a statement on Facebook stating that no one was injured and that the fire may cause some outages from East 21st Street to West 9th Street between Lakeside Avenue and Huron Road throughout Friday.

The city later updated that power had been restored.

The city also said that the operations of the Cuyahoga County Jail have not been affected.

Cleveland Fire is warning motorists to avoid the area.

You can check power outage status here.

This is a developing story. Return to 19 News for updates.