Harvard Square manhole fire extinguished

By John Ellement and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

CAMBRIDGE -- A subterranean fire has been extinguished in Harvard Square this morning that was sparked by a series of explosions that sent flames shooting out manholes, police and fire officials said.

No injuries have been reported from the four to five explosions, which were triggered by an electrical cable that malfunctioned, said NStar spokeswoman Caroline Allen.

The fire was extinguished at around 8:30 a.m., five hours after Cambridge firefighters arrived on the scene, said Deputy Fire Chief James F. Burns. An explosion in an underground utility tunnel ignited some oil, sending flames shooting out of a manhole 10 feet into the air, Burns said.

Firefighters allowed the blaze to burn itself out and then sprayed water to cool down the electrical conduit tunnel so utility workers to could begin repairs, Burns said.

Traffic is moving again in both directions on Massachusetts Avenue and most other roads have reopened. Bus service on Routes 1, 68, and 69 was temporarily diverted during the fire but has returned to normal, said MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo. Subway service on the Red Line through Harvard Square was not affected.

The cable malfunction was akin to a house blowing a fuse, but on a much larger scale, Allen said. The initial blast knocked out power to 700 customers, but most service has been restored.

The explosions were centered near Massachusetts Avenue and Dunster Streets, but the flames spread through the underground network of manholes.

Harvard University classes were not disrupted, but the Holyoke Center is closed. No damage has been reported to businesses in Harvard Square.

(George Rizer / Globe Staff)

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