KC fire crews battle downtown underground fire that sent manhole covers flying
An underground fire in downtown Kansas City on Saturday afternoon sent at least four manhole covers flying and caused thick, black smoke to billow.
The fire started around 2:30 p.m. in a small part of the underground electrical network that serves downtown Kansas City at 10th and Wyandotte streets.
The fire ignited inside two electrical cables that are part of that network. Initial reports said the manhole covers were blown off. About 400 customers were briefly without electrical service, said Kansas City Power & Light spokeswoman Laura Wilfon.
Several streets and intersections were closed as fire crews extinguished the blaze.
No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
“It is possible the water from the flooding last night (Friday) could have contributed to what happened. We are investigating,” Wilfon said.
Glenn E. Rice: 816-234-4341, @GRicekcstar
This story was originally published August 27, 2016 at 8:46 PM with the headline "KC fire crews battle downtown underground fire that sent manhole covers flying."