2 manhole explosions on Brattle Street shut down Harvard Square in Cambridge
CAMBRIDGE - Two manhole explosions shut down Harvard Square Wednesday.
It happened shortly after 8:30 a.m. on Brattle Street. It's not clear yet what caused the explosions. Eversource raced to disable power to a third manhole near the other two that exploded.
"Bang, bang, bang, bang. Consistently two. It was almost like a beat. That's the best way I can explain it but it was really loud," said Doug Beyna who works in the area.
Firefighters ventilated several buildings in the neighborhood to prevent carbon monoxide from building up, including the Harvard University bookstore. One firefighter was taken to the hospital with possible smoke inhalation, acting Cambridge Fire Chief Thomas Cahill said.
"All I see is orange flames right next to me on my left and we just ran immediately," said Kaitlynn MacLean. "I didn't even want to stop and look. I just had to run."
NEW: Video shows the incredible moment a second manhole exploded in Harvard Square today. No one was hurt but a firefighter did go to the hospital after inhaling smoke — we have live reports coming up on WBZ at 5 #WBZ pic.twitter.com/iTPolOw7zR
— Kristina Rex (@KristinaRex) August 30, 2023
Wednesday also happened to be move-in day for Harvard freshmen.
"On a regular move-in day, it's already really bad," said Harvard sophomore Grace Liu. "And I think adds to it. Obviously, I mean, if you look at your GPS, it's all red on the streets, like there's no movement with the cars. It's crazy."
The area is expected to be closed off for the remainder of the day. The cause is under investigation but Eversource said it's likely due to a damaged underground cable.