BRUNSWICK — An equipment failure at a hydroelectric power substation knocked out power to more than 2,400 homes and businesses in downtown Brunswick this afternoon.

The outage also wiped out electrical service to 23 buildings on the Bowdoin College campus. Police said the outage was widespread, reaching as far as Merrymeeting Plaza near Cook’s Corner.

The substation is located near Fort Andross on the Androscoggin River.

Central Maine Power Company said the outage was reported at 1:11 p.m. Power was gradually restored over a period of time and by 3:30 p.m. everyone’s power had been restored.

Brunswick police said the outage caused several traffic tieups because traffic lights at busy intersections such as Maine and Pleasant streets went dark during the outage.

Police did not report any significant accidents or fires as a result of the fire.