ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, January 8, 1996 TAG: 9601080028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: NORFOLK
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
An electrical fire set off a series of underground explosions in the downtown area Sunday, forcing authorities to shut off power to the area and close some streets to traffic.
A section around Waterside Drive was cleared ``due to the number of manhole covers that were actually exploding,'' said Jack Goldhorn, a fire department spokesman.
No one was injured, but flames and smoke were visible from some underground openings. The problem started in the vicinity of East Main and Atlantic streets, near the Waterside Marriott hotel, authorities said.
A few people inside the hotel were moved away from the building's lower windows because of the risk posed by the explosions, Goldhorn said, but no windows were broken.
Virginia Power shut off electricity to the entire area.
Goldhorn said utility officials believe too much water from a weekend snow and rain storm got into a transformer, causing the fire. He said the downtown area would be without power for up to 24 hours, and emergency generators were being brought in for essential services around City Hall.
About 3 to 4 inches of snow fell in the area Saturday night. The precipitation mostly changed to rain Sunday.
LENGTH: Short : 35 linesby CNB