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Fire crews investigate underground blasts in Indianapolis

Posted March 18, 2015 11:00 pm

The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - An underground explosion at a busy Indianapolis intersection has disrupted traffic and businesses downtown.

Firefighters and utility crews were on the scene and power was cut for several blocks as a series of blasts sent several manhole covers into the air Thursday morning.

The incident follows a similar underground explosion Monday night on Massachusetts Avenue in the city's downtown business district. That blast was traced to an underground electrical vault.

An Indianapolis Power & Light spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

More than a dozen similar incidents have occurred in Indianapolis over the last decade. In 2011, IPL blamed electrical shorts for a half-dozen explosions.

After those blasts, the utility installed about 100 new manhole covers designed to reduce damage from underground explosions and fires.

Indianapolis Fire Department and Indianapolis Power and Light investigators investigate an underground explosion on Thursday, March 19, 2015 in Indianapolis. The explosions sent several manhole covers into the air. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger) NO SALES The Associated Press

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