North Americans face hours-long wait for power

The Mayor of New York tonight predicted the power blackout which has swept across the state would be ended in “hours, not minutes”.

Michael Bloomberg said power would be restored tomorrow provided that the electricity restoration plan hit no further setbacks.

He stressed there was no evidence of terrorism, although New Yorkers likened the chaotic scenes on the streets to those of 9/11.

The blackout hit US and Canadian cities this evening, closing nuclear power plants in Ohio and New York state.

It forced thousands of workers in New York City and Toronto into the streets, and shutting underground stations in blistering heat.

Mr Bloomberg said that all but one hospital had power, with evacuations of tall buildings having been successful.

He added there was no evidence of criminal activity or of any person being injured as a result of the widespread power cut which affected millions.

Furthermore, the emergency service numbers also worked and residents were urged to drink water and keep windows open to combat the heat.

Tiffany Walters, 26, who works in a Manhattan law firm, said lights and computer screens in her office started flickering a little after 4pm local time (9pm UK time) and then everything ground to a halt.

“Everybody freaked out at the beginning. People were saying they could smell burning and we all were wondering if it was terrorism.

“It feels and looks so like 9/11. Everybody’s wandering around the streets with fear on their faces and trying to find out what’s going on.”

Tempers flared in the hot temperatures with many drivers nearly coming to blows in the jammed streets.

But there was also a camaraderie as people pulled together to deal with the crisis.

Meanwhile, British Airways said it was experiencing disruption on its services to and from North America and was working on a contingency plan.

In New York, major buildings such as the Stock Exchange and the United Nations building were closed down.