Harvard Square manhole fire is under control, and evacuations are over, police say

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

A manhole fire in Harvard Square is now under control, and residents are allowed to return home and businesses to reopen, Cambridge polcie said.

“Any threat of underground fire has been controlled and extinguished,’’ police said in an e-mail.

However, the fire in the manhole has knocked out power to one block of buildings in Harvard Square at JFK Street. Utility crews are on scene, police said.

Police have reopened Mt. Auburn Street, but JFK Street remains closed between Memorial Drive and Mt. Auburn Street, police said.

State Police are directing traffic at JFK Street and Memorial Drive because the traffic signals are out, police said.

No injuries have been reported.