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

- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
Comments