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Power restored in Yellowknife after widespread outage

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A power outage left most of Yellowknife in the dark Friday night.

The lights went out for residents across town around 7:15 p.m. before power was restored to most areas just after 8:05 p.m.

An eerie darkness befell downtown as many Yellowknifers were out enjoying the beginning of the weekend.

Some shoppers were forced to leave stores until power was restored.

A tweet sent out by Northwest Territories Power Corporation blamed the widespread outrage on "a problem with a transformer at Snare hydro."

"Operators are starting diesel at Jackfish and working to reconnect to hydro units. Power has been restored to some areas. Thanks for your patience as we continue to work on the rest," read the tweet.

The Snare Hydro System, located about 140 kilometers northwest of the Yellowknife, generates power for the capital, Dettah and Behchoko.

A dark 50 Street and 50 Avenue intersection during Friday's power outage. Brendan Burke/NNSL photo.

Friday's outage followed several others in recent months.

Some took to social media to vent their frustration.

"We're pushing an hour here. In November, in Yellowknife, this should be unacceptable," wrote one exasperated Twitter user.

"Why is (this) still an issue up here!!!," tweeted another.

Some took to social media to take the outage in stride.

"Nothing says life in Yellowknife like a power outage over pints at the Black Knight on a Friday during a birthday party. Now would you please plug the city back in?!," one Yellowknifer joked online.

More to come.