Chaos erupted on an Everett street Saturday evening as three manhole covers were sent flying after a reported underground incident near the upscale Encore Boston Harbor casino. According to Boston 25 News, emergency crews and first responders descended on the intersection of Broadway and Bowdoin Street after the manholes caught fire, disrupting traffic and causing a temporary shutdown of the area.
Despite the initial explosions, which lifted the covers powerfully into the sky, an Everett police officer reassured the public that no injuries were sustained, as no one was eventually hurt by the flying metal. The road was cleared and reopened to traffic by 7:00 pm that same day, with National Grid workers and police officers managing the flow of vehicles at the scene.
Further details were confirmed by NBC10 Boston, stating that the incident was a result of a secondary electrical line failure and not an actual explosion. This malfunction led to smoke emission and caused a power outage, affecting at least 47 customers in the vicinity. National Grid crews were actively making repairs, promising a restoration of electricity within a few hours.
Adding to the disruption, traffic was directed on Broadway, while one lane remained closed to facilitate ongoing repairs, with police officers stationed near the utility company's trucks. Despite the inconvenience, the curiosity of the local residents led many to observe the commotion from the sidewalks. The area, already frequented by guests of the Encore Boston Harbor, was thrust into an unexpected spotlight, adding a jolt to the otherwise tranquil weekend atmosphere.
Meanwhile, NewsCenter 5 provided visuals of the scene, showing multiple fire engines and National Grid vehicles at the intersection. A representative from the Everett Fire Department reiterated the absence of injuries in connection with the incident, indicating a fortunate end to what could have been a perilous situation.
