PITTSBURGH -- Businesses and students in parts of South Oakland are without service Wednesday morning due to a power outage.

Duquesne Light said power went out around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon when independent contractors hit underground cables near a Craft Avenue substation. That knocked out power to 500 customers from Craft Avenue to Bates Street.

Pitt and Point Park students who live in the area have been in the dark all night.

A Pittsburgh Playhouse employee said they have temporary power from a generator but that the area is always in danger from excavation work in the area.

The Hampton Inn and Carlow College have power but the Sunoco on the Boulevard of the Allies has been out and closed all night.

Officials expect service to be restored around 4 p.m.