A manhole explodes in downtown Brockton, setting fire to a nearby car.
A swath of busy Main Street in downtown Brockton was shut down Friday when an underground electrical fire caused several fiery manhole explosions, authorities said.
The Brockton Fire Department estimated that 15 to 20 underground explosions rocked the 130-140 block of Main Street, according to Mayor Bill Carpenter. Three of those erupted with fire through the manhole up into the street, with smoke billowing afterward.
No one was injured, but power on the street had to be shut down at rush hour and three city blocks were evacuated, officials said.
Brockton police and fire initially responded to reports of a manhole explosion and car fire in the area just before 4 p.m., Carpenter said.
As firefighters battled the two-alarm fire, more underground explosions sounded.
“Some had flames shooting right up out of the ground,” said Carpenter. “The first 45 minutes were really harrowing. … It was a miracle no one was hurt.”
Emergency responders also battled toxic fumes from the underground fires, according to Carpenter. In addition, they risked electrocution from basements flooded by the sprinkler system, he said.
National Grid arrived at the scene at about 5 p.m. and shut off power in the area of Main Street from Crescent Street to Centre Street, and from Warren Avenue east to Montello Street, according to Carpenter.
About 1,400 customers were initially without electricity, but power was restored to most residents by 9 p.m., according to National Grid spokeswoman Amie O’Hearn.
City Hall was among the buildings that lost power, Carpenter said.
While there are three main lines going through downtown, National Grid inspectors believe it was a secondary wire that caught fire, according to Carpenter, although the incident was still under investigation. None of the main lines were damaged, he said.
Emergency services remained on scene Friday evening, as affected buildings were ventilated.
Carpenter explained that an underground electrical fire built up gases until the pressure caused the manholes to explode. Three cars were damaged in the incident, including one that caught on fire after the manhole it was parked over exploded.
The mayor told reporters that the lack of injuries was probably because of light traffic in the area at the start of the holiday weekend, and commended the police and fire departments for doing an “incredible job.”
Reenat Sinay 