An electrical mistake caused an subversive flames and cut power to some of the areas of Wellington's vital business district on Thursday dawn. Smoke and fire poured out of a manhole at the junction of Cuba and Abel Smith Streets following the short-circuits in two electricity junction boxes. Bonfire crews were able to contract the fire under control within minutes.

But the people says that at one end the flames were more than a metre high. Police force cordoned off the region and about 300 homes and business were without power. Firefighters protected the landscape and members of the community were warned to stay clear as there were fears the smoke could be more toxic.

Refer: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/536641/1593586