Fire Shoots Out Of Manholes Following Sewer Explosion

Parts of the Omaha remain without power today.

1. This photo posted to Reddit shows flames shooting out of manholes in downtown Omaha:

Source: Reddit  /  via: reddit.com

A sewer explosion in Omaha, Nebraska, knocked out power in the city’s downtown area Sunday night, and more than 100 businesses and government buildings remain without electricity this morning. Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) told WOWT News that an electrical transformer blew at approximately 5:45 p.m. Sunday night, sparking a fiery explosion that blew the covers off at least two manholes. By the time the network vault fire was extinguished at 7:15 p.m., nearly 2,000 Omaha residents were without power.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that police officers directed traffic downtown during the Monday morning commute as electricians worked to repair traffic lights. The city’s jail and courthouse are still in the dark, as are OPPD headquarters. Despite this, the public utility company hopes to have power restored by Monday evening. No injuries have been reported.