The bustling atmosphere of Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was disrupted earlier today, at the height of the morning commute, due to an unexpected manhole fire, leading to the closure of roads to both cars and pedestrians. At 8:55 a.m., the Cambridge Fire Department tweeted about the ongoing incident, which took place at 27 Brattle Street, according to the Boston Globe.
Emergency services responded to the scene by 9 a.m., finding the manhole ablaze, as reported by Boston 25 News. Police officers diverted traffic around the area to ensure the safety of motorists, pedestrians and area residents.
Authorities evacuated buildings exposed to the fire and checked their structural integrity, according to Boston 25 News. As of now, there have been no reported injuries, and the public is urged to avoid the area until further notice.
The situation required a prompt response from Eversource, a utility company involved in the investigation of the incident, as WHDH covered. Given the close proximity of pedestrians and vehicles to the dangers of the manhole fire, the closure of Harvard Square was seen as necessary to ensure public safety and facilitate emergency response efforts.
As investigations into the cause of the manhole fire continue, the public is encouraged to respect road closures and to exercise caution when faced with such incidents. Harvard Square's sudden upheaval from a morning commute into an emergency response scene serves as a timely reminder for all individuals to remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected.
