Local

[Print]  [Email]        

Manhole explodes in downtown, filling streets with smoke


Staff report
July 6, 2009

PG&E crews looks down a manhole where an underground explosion was reported on Fourth Street at Market Street on Monday morning. (Cindy Chew/The Examiner)

SAN FRANCISCO — An underground explosion in a manhole on a busy downtown corner filled nearby streets with smoke this morning.

The explosion was reported shortly after 10 a.m. near the Ross clothing store on Fourth Street near Market Street. It didn’t pop off the manhole lid, San Francisco fire Lt. Mindy Talmadge said.

The Ross store lost power after the explosion, PG&E spokesman Joe Molica said. The preliminary cause of the fire is believed to be a failed network protector, which protects the electrical network from voltage fluctuation, he said.

At least one building in the area appeared to have been evacuated and crowds of people had gathered along Market Street after the explosion. Fourth Street was closed to traffic between Market and Mission streets and Muni lines 30, 45, and 9X were rerouted south of Post Street until shortly before noon, according to Muni spokesman Judson True.

There were no reports of injuries.
 



To view this site, you need to have Flash Player 8.0 or later installed. Click here to get the latest Flash player.


Most Popular Headlines





 


 



 

Reader Comments

All comments on this page are subject to our Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Examiner or its staff. Comment box is limited to 250 words.

Post a comment


Email:
(This will not be displayed or shared. Privacy Policy)

Display Name:

Comment:




Sports

Cardinal has Luck going into Big Game showdown

Though he’s just a redshirt freshman, Andrew Luck... Full story

Entertainment

Reno Santa event inspired by SF revelers

About 5,000 Santa costume-clad folks are expected to... Full story

Entertainment

Scoop: Is J. Lo having ex tailed?

Is Jennifer Lopez playing hardball in her battle with... Full story