Underground Explosion Knocks Out Power In Harper Woods

HARPER WOODS (WWJ) - More than 1,000 homes and businesses are without power after what authorities believe was an underground explosion in Harper Woods.

DTE Energy crews, firefighters and police were at the scene following the incident shortly after 9 a.m. Friday in the area of Beaconsfield and Huntington near Moross.

WWJ Newsradio 950 spoke with Harper Woods Police Chief Jim Burke who said an investigation is underway.

"Officers discovered that there was an underground utility explosion. It had enough force to blow the manhole cover off and up onto the street," Burke said.

The manhole was replaced. No injuries were reported.

DTE Spokesman John Austerberry said there appears to be have been an underground cable failure.

"When they fail they, you know, release a flash and a noise and so...that would definitely explain the reports of an explosion in that area," he said.

Dan Buszek, who lives nearby on Woodmont St., said he was out walking his dog Benny when he heard it blow.

"It sounded like a dumpster being unloaded. Then the other one — there was a second explosion that lifted the cover off and put it out in the street," Buszek said. "The police and the fire department, they fixed everything up so it's safe."

Austerberry said they're still looking into the cause of the incident.  Crews are hoping to have power restored in the neighborhood by around 3:30 p.m.