A major cable failure may have caused a widespread power outage in Detroit Tuesday.

"The city's public lighting grid suffered a major cable failure that has caused the entire grid to lose power at approximately 10:30 this morning. The outage is affecting all customers on the PLD grid," the Detroit Press Office said.

"We have isolated the issue and are working to restore power as soon as possible. The city's Public Lighting Department is working closely with DTE during this process."

The cable failure knocked out electricity in about 100 buildings connected to it including most public buildings and trapping people in elevators.

The Detroit News reported that many buildings were evacuated throughout the downtown area including Joe Louis Arena, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, the Frank Murphy Hall of Justice, the Detroit Institute of Arts and some other buildings at Wayne State University.

The university announced that all classes will run on schedule.

Schools let out classes early while fire stations, police departments, jails, traffic lights and gas pumps were also affected by the power outage.

All of the lights in the Hall of Justice courthouse went out in the middle of an ongoing murder trial of Bob Bashara who is accused of getting his wife killed by a former handyman of his.

Children's Hospital of Michigan and DMC Sinai Grace still have power, while Wayne County jail is running on a backup generator.

"DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital informed patients, families, clinical staff and non-clinical employees that it had experienced two power outages caused by outdated public lighting department equipment," spokeswoman Sarah Collica said.

"DRH leadership emphasized the fact that all patients are safe and being well cared for. All emergency power systems are working effectively," reassuring families because the hospital is running on partial power.

"Detroit Medical Center facility leadership and DTE, from whom the DMC buys all of its power, is working together with PLD to resolve the problem."

Families should expect an update at 3 p.m.