Monday, January 31, 2011

Indianapolis manhole covers blow in mystery explosion

From IFD's Rita Buris:

Firefighters from IFD Station 7 were dispatched at 6:36 am (1/30/11) to  401 E Michigan Street for a report of a gas odor.  Located across the street from this address, Station 7 arrived within a minute and were investigating the odor.   Much to their surprise, at 6:38 am a manhole cover located across the street (on sidewalk at Michigan/New Jersey)  blew, and with such significant force as to wake the other firefighters still at the station.   Flames were visible from the manhole for sometime before they extinguished.

Within a minute, a second manhole cover blew, this one located next to the Athenaeum up against the building on New Jersey St.  This explosion took out one Athenaeum window, some brick and blew apart the manhole structure leaving a gaping hole of dirt, in the ground.  Firefighters took steps to move out of the way and began backing fire equipment out of the area as well.  As they were backing Engine 7 up New Jersey, a third manhole cover blew, this one located in the intersection of Massachusetts, New Jersey and Michigan, hitting the underside of the engine and breaking a side light.  According to firefighters, the safety plate underneath the engine did its job…(the manhole cover hit the plate)  and  no significant damage was done to the Engine. 

Although IFD Firefighters witnessed three of the manhole covers, IMPD officers report 2 additional covers off their bases in the area.  They are unsure whether or not they are in addition to or a result of the three earlier.

Indianapolis Power and Light was on the scene within minutes and advised firefighters to stay clear of the area until they could get more IPL crews to the scene.  Unsure as to what caused the explosions IPL advised a wait and see mode for everyone so that no one would be injured. Citizen’s Gas is on the scene as well and both companies are working together to try and make a determination as to cause. 

At 8:30, firefighters did enter some of the buildings along Massachusetts Ave, as well as the Athenaeum, to check for gas odor but found nothing significant. 

16 IFD units responded to the scene and no injuries were reported.  No evacuations were ordered of the area and some roads will be closed until cleared by the utility companies.  At this time One Block in every direction at New Jersey, Michigan and Massachusetts are still closed as of 8:40 am.

Once the investigation is concluded, any more information about the cause and investigation should be obtained from IPL and/or Citizen’s Gas.