Emergency crews were called out to the Cornerstone shopping area at 5:09 p.m. on Tuesday April 17 after a malfunctioning transformer damaged electrical service, sending smoke into at least one of the stores in the area.
Fourteen firefighters, along with ambulance crews, responded to a block of outlets, including the Oasis Tanning Spa and Lammle's Western Wear.
Firefighters were originally told there was a fire in the area.
"Upon arrival, crews determined that there was no fire, but there was smoke being produced inside one of the occupancies from malfunctioning electrical equipment," an Olds Fire Department news release says. "The nature of the incident was due to the failure of an electrical transformer from a nearby power service.
"Fortis crews arrived on scene quickly, and managed the incident. Fire crews ventilated affected occupancies from residual smoke/odour and assisted owners in shutting down their electrical systems while waiting for repairs to be made."
Fire officials say there were no injuries to firefighters or employees as a result of the incident.
However, "there was service interruption to several of the businesses due to partial or complete loss of power."
