BOSTON — Emergency crews responded to manhole explosions and fires in the area of Mass. General Hospital on Tuesday afternoon.
Boston Fire says the call came in around 3:15 p.m. for smoke coming from manholes on Charles Street. The fire chief tells Boston 25 News there were two manhole explosions, reaching 30-feet high, and one of the covers hit the train overpass.
At approximately 3:15 received a call for 209 Charles St downtown for smoke coming out of multiple manholes. pic.twitter.com/avWVBGvHtc
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 24, 2020
According to Boston Fire, the ground in the area buckled. Authorities blocked off the area while crews worked to secure the scene.
A spokesperson for Eversource told Boston 25 News an electrical failure underground caused the explosions.
There have been multiple explosions, the ground around the manhole has buckled. Companies are applying an extinguishing agent ( Fire & Ice)to control the fire, after consulting with @EversourceMA pic.twitter.com/844jNDp1Xf
— Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) March 24, 2020
Soon after, the MBTA tweeted the Red Line had been bypassing the Charles/MGH T station. Shuttle buses were put in place for a brief time, but regular Red Line service resumed a couple of hours later.
Red Line: Due to a working manhole fire in the area, all trains are temporarily bypassing Charles/MGH station.
— MBTA (@MBTA) March 24, 2020
Video shared with Boston 25 News shows smoke coming from manholes near MGH.
“[It was] a complete combustion,” said Ashley Inman, who lives in the area. “Top blew off, big ball of fire.”
Mass. General Hospital tells us the situation did not impact the hospital at all and they continued to operate as normal.
No injuries were reported and the area has since been reopened to the public.
#BREAKING:
— Peter Wilson (@PetesWire) March 24, 2020
Manhole explosion and fire in the area of MGH,
All #RedLine #MBTA trains are temporarily bypassing Charles/MGH station.
Screen grab from @Boston25Photogs Chris Gauthier video #Boston @boston25 pic.twitter.com/Zvt8TTAgC6
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@boston25 pothole explosion near #mgh #charlesstreet pic.twitter.com/5J5PoNmbCn
— Ike Okpoebo (@IkelJordan) March 24, 2020
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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