Underground cable caused manhole explosion in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., officials say

A manhole explosion in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York on Saturday, April 19 was caused by an electrical fault in an underground cable, city officials said. 

The Times Union reported that on 1:30pm Saturday, multiple manhole explosions occurred on a popular stretch of Academy Street, narrowly missing a grandmother walking with her two grandchildren. 

City Administrator Joseph Donat told the Times Union that the explosion was caused by an “electrical fault on an underground cable” owned and operated by Central Hudson Gas & Electric, and that the incident was unrelated to any natural gas distribution systems.

The city fire department, which posted the surveillance video footage captured of the terrifying incident on Facebook hours later, described the eruptions as manhole explosions, though no manhole was visible in the video. The post confirmed that two other explosions occurred on Academy Street near Church Street.

Firefighters found high levels of carbon monoxide in multiple buildings in the area, leading to temporary evacuations, according to the fire department. Academy Street was closed while Central Hudson investigated.

 

 

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