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Jul 29, 2023
Power restored to Harvard Square after manhole explosions
No reported injuries No reported injuries The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. No reported injuries Power was restored to an area of Cambridge late Wednesday night
No reported injuries
No reported injuries
The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.
No reported injuries
Power was restored to an area of Cambridge late Wednesday night after a series of manhole fires in Harvard Square.
The area was closed to both pedestrians and vehicles following a pair of manhole fires at 9 a.m.. A third fire occurred several hours later.
High levels of carbon monoxide were also detected in nearby businesses, which were evacuated.
Crews were forced to shut off power to control the fires, Eversource spokesperson Chris McKinnon said. Crews restored power to the area just before 11 p.m.
Eversource said the fires were most likely cause by an "underground secondary electric cable fault." Crews will be working through the next several days to make permanent repairs to the electric equipment.
One firefighter involved in the response suffered an injury unrelated to the explosions and was taken to the hospital, where he's expected to recover.
Photos provided by witnesses showed heavy smoke rising from a manhole in the middle of the street.
Images from the Cambridge Police Department showed additional smoke rising from a sidewalk outside the busy area's shops and restaurants.
The Brattle Street entrance to Harvard Station was temporarily closed because of the incident, according to the MBTA.
No injuries were reported.
Video below: Active scene in Harvard Square
Fire officials said Eversource crews will remain on scene to continue their work, while Cambridge police officers will also be there to divert traffic and help ensure pedestrian safety.
Traffic was still reduced to one lane on the section of Brattle Street near Harvard and Brattle squares as of Thursday morning.
Video below: Witnesses' footage of manhole fires
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. —Video below: Active scene in Harvard SquareVideo below: Witnesses' footage of manhole fires