Underground electrical box explodes, launches manhole cover in downtown Dayton

A reported explosion in an underground electrical box Thursday evening blew a manhole cover five feet off the ground in downtown Dayton.

A 911 caller reported a strong burning smell and smoke coming out of the sewer after hearing what sounded like an explosion.

“The sewer right there at the intersection blew up,” she said.

Pressure from a cable failure with Dayton Power & Light's underground network caused the manhole cover to pop into the air, DP&L spokeswoman Mary Ann Kabel said.

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The issue with the network, which covered an area from West Third to South St. Marys streets in Dayton, has been resolved, she said.

There were no outages associated with the incident, she said.

The incident was reported shortly before 5 p.m. in the 300 block of West Third Street near Sinclair Community College.

Westbound Third Street was closed in the 300 block, and Dayton Power & Light crews were called to the scene.

There were no reports of injuries.