Argentina power line fire sparks huge blackout amid heat wave

General view of Atucha I nuclear power plant during a blackout that included parts of the capital Buenos Aires, and the central regions of Santa Fe, Neuquen, Cordoba and Mendoza, according to a statement from the Energy secretariat, in Zarate, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Matias Baglietto

BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) - Large swathes of Argentina were left without power on Wednesday afternoon after blackouts in the national grid due to a fire, officials said, as the country endures a major heat wave that has increased energy demand.

Parts of the capital Buenos Aires, and the central regions of Santa Fe, Neuquen, Cordoba and Mendoza, have experienced blackouts, according to a statement from the Energy secretariat.