Outages complicate daily routines in Back Bay

BOSTON (WHDH) -- Daylight was the only source of light for people waking up in Boston’s Back Bay Wednesday morning, still without power following Tuesday’s electrical substation fire.

“No hot water this morning, no electricity no telephones -- it's like dark ages,” John Helfrick said.

When the transformer blew, it filled the sky with black smoke leaving thousands in the area in a total blackout.

“The manager of the building is in the building, and she said she's never seen anything like this in the 30 plus years she’s been around here,” Sanjay Chugh said. “I’m just watching the darkness, literally everywhere.”

Getting ready without electricity was a challenge.

“I'm afraid to know what my face looks like because I put my makeup on by candlelight and it was a very cold breakfast,” Marie Gerhard-Harmen said.

Maria Fernandes wondered if her dentist appointment still has the green light.

“I called the office this morning and I actually don't know. If they're open, they’re open,” she said.

Food trucks greatly benefited from the blackout, with people heading into the streets to buy food.

And for people from out of town, here on business, everything was put on hold.

Massachusetts State Police Advisory (as of 7:30 p.m.): The Prudential ramp will be closed to accommodate two generators, which will supply electricity to Prudential Tunnel and other establishments in the area. This will now effectively shut down exit #22 completely as the Copley ramp was closed at 1:15 p.m. this date. The Prudential ramp will be shutdown for approximately 2 days.  -- via Massachusetts State Police Office of Media Relations.

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