A shocking electrical incident unfolded on Newbury Street, Boston, leaving residents and officials shaken. The cause? An underground electrical cable failure, as confirmed by Eversource.
On Tuesday night, multiple manholes along Newbury Street spewed smoke and intense heat, prompting the evacuation of nearby buildings. Utility officials worked swiftly to repair the damaged cable, but not before 14 Eversource customers lost power.
But here's where it gets controversial... Doug Foley, Eversource's president of Massachusetts electrical operations, claims the incident was an electrical fault, not an explosion. He argues that the loud sounds reported by witnesses were likely electricity discharging to the ground, a common occurrence in such failures.
The cable, made of copper with a neoprene jacket, is designed to withstand water and extreme temperatures. However, winter weather, particularly snow and road salt, can create a corrosive environment, leading to cable degradation over time.
And this is the part most people miss... Boston's extensive underground electrical network faces unique challenges. Much of the network runs beneath streets built long before modern utilities, making maintenance a complex task. Underground cables, though designed to operate submerged, are vulnerable to corrosion and wear.
The incident highlights the ongoing efforts by Eversource to enhance safety. The company has developed "energy-release" manhole covers designed to vent pressure while keeping the lids securely in place, even during severe electrical faults.
Foley assures that the "trouble hole" cover on Newbury Street remained secured throughout the incident, and Eversource claims no cover displacement at locations with their newer energy-release covers since 2022.
With approximately 45,000 manholes across Massachusetts, Eversource has completed upgrades on over 60% of locations, prioritizing dense urban areas like Boston and Cambridge.
So, what's your take on this incident? Do you think Eversource's measures are enough to prevent future manhole incidents? Share your thoughts in the comments!
