Two Larchmont police officers were hurt Friday evening when a manhole cover blew off in the village's downtown, shortly after reports of smoke rising from the street. Emergency crews quickly sealed off the immediate area, while utility teams moved in to secure underground equipment and officials checked nearby buildings for hazards.
What officials say
The Larchmont Fire Department received a report of smoke coming from a manhole near Chatsworth Avenue and North Avenue just after 8 p.m. on Friday, and firefighters say two additional manholes ignited before a cover blew off, according to ABC7 New York. The station reported that crews checked nearby structures for carbon monoxide and other potential hazards.
Injuries and road closures
Fire officials told News 12 Westchester the blast happened around 8:45 p.m. and that both officers' injuries appeared to be minor. The village issued a public-safety alert asking residents to avoid the intersection, and police set up road closures between Palmer Avenue and Myrtle Boulevard while crews worked.
Utility response
One officer was taken to a local hospital for treatment, ABC7 New York reported, and Con Edison dispatched work crews to investigate a suspected underground electrical problem. Officials said they did not anticipate structural damage to nearby buildings but urged the public to stay clear while repairs proceed.
A recurring hazard
Manhole fires and explosions are a recurring winter hazard, frequently tied to aging underground electrical wiring and moisture, including road salt runoff, that can corrode insulation and spark cable fires, THE CITY reported in a 2020 review. Similar incidents this season have prompted multiple Con Edison responses around the region, including a February blast in Tribeca that injured pedestrians and sent crews to the scene, according to Tribeca Citizen.
Safety and what to watch for
FDNY guidance warns that "during an underground electrical fire, an explosion in a manhole can occur and cause one or more manhole covers to be blown into the air," and notes that toxic gases such as carbon monoxide can migrate from manholes into nearby structures. The department advises staying well away from smoking manholes and letting utility and fire personnel secure the site before returning, per FDNY.
Village officials and Con Edison said they are continuing to investigate and asked anyone with video or eyewitness information to share it with authorities, News 12 Westchester reported. This story will be updated as officials release more information.
