Video: Boston FFs battle flames after manhole explosions
Witnesses said the blasts sent manhole covers flying 30 feet into the air
By Laura French
BOSTON — Firefighters used foam to extinguish several fires after two manholes exploded in Boston on Tuesday.
Photos and video showed flames shooting from manholes and firefighters working to control the blazes. According to CBS Boston, firefighters applied foam after consulting with energy company Eversource, which said the blasts were caused by equipment failures.
District FireChief James Hoar briefs the media on the manhole fires on Charles St. the fire are out @EversourceMA is on scene to determine the cause of the fire. There were no injuries to report . Companies are making up. pic.twitter.com/5vnlKJQ7SR
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 24, 2020
Witnesses reported that manhole covers were sent flying 30 feet in the air from the explosions. The blasts occurred in an area near a train station and hospital, but traffic was low due to the national COVID-19 emergency and no injuries were reported. The hospital said road closures did not impact operations.
The Boston Fire Department wrote on Twitter that they initially received the call at 3:15 p.m. for smoke coming out of several manholes, and that surrounding buildings were checked for smoke after the initial flames were extinguished.
At approximately 3:15 received a call for 209 Charles St downtown for smoke coming out of multiple manholes. pic.twitter.com/avWVBGvHtc
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 24, 2020
There have been multiple explosions, the ground around the manhole has buckled. Companies are applying an extinguishing agent ( Fire & Ice)to control the fire, after consulting with @EversourceMA pic.twitter.com/844jNDp1Xf
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 24, 2020
