About 900 without power in Bethesda

An underground transformer in downtown Bethesda blew out and produced smoke Thursday night, causing road closures and power outages to about 900 customers, authorities said.

Montgomery County firefighters were called to the 4700 block of Bradley Boulevard for the report of a smoking manhole about 7 p.m. When they arrived, they instead found a problem with an underground transformer, said Capt. Oscar Garcia, a fire department spokesman. No injuries were reported, but authorities shut down vehicle and foot traffic in the area.

Firefighters also received calls from three buildings where about a dozen people had been trapped in elevators, Garcia said.

Pepco crews are working to repair a problem with a feeder line so they can restore power to the 900 customers, said Andre Francis, a spokesman.

Read: Analysis: Pepco's power problems