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.
Related News
From Archive

- Intrepid Fiber breaks ground on fiber optic network in Superior, Colo.
- Excavator collides with I-95 overpass in Henrico, Va., causing multi-vehicle crash
- Shrewsbury, Mass., expands sewer inspections and cleaning efforts
- Two workers rescued after hours trapped in Mich. trench collapse
- Trump calls for Keystone XL pipeline revival, but developer has moved on
- Illinois overhauls Peoples Gas pipeline program, mandates focus on high-risk pipes
- Ameren Illinois to invest $140 million in natural gas pipeline replacement program
- Charlottesville, Va., to begin work on 24-inch water line for Rivanna River crossing
- Mass. governor slams Trump for ‘dangerous delay’ of $50 million in lead pipe replacement funds
Comments