Center City Underground Explosions Force Evacuations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Police confirm that an underground fire triggered and explosion late Sunday afternoon in Center City.
This happened just before 5 p.m. at 15th and Locust Streets.
Police say a fire had sparked the electrical wiring right underneath the street, resulting in flames and smoke. An explosion then blew off a manhole cover, which shocked those walking by:
"Right after the explosions happened, everyone started running by," nearby worker Kyle Sormilich tells CBs 3 Eyewitness News. "You could see fire, you could see smoke, people started clearing the area right away."
No injuries were reported and crews quickly placed the fire under control.
Some residents and buildings on the 1500 block of Locust Street had to be evacuated. Officials said their main concern was the spread of carbon monoxide.
PECO says a smoldering underground cable is to blame for the initial fire.
Bomb squad units were also on the scene earlier in the day as a precaution.