Manhole Explosion on Main Street Causes Power Surge in Waltham

Just before 11:30AM on Sunday March 18th the power surged and went out at my house and then came right back on. Alarms started ringing into 911 for hold up alarms at 1 Moody Street sounding due to the surge. Seconds later my scanner went off stating the Fire Department was transmitting Box 258 for 1275 Main Street for multiple 911 calls reporting a manhole explosion with fire. C-2, Engine 2, Engine 4, Ladder 1 & Rescue 6 along with police responded.

Engine 4 on arrival called off with light smoke showing from a manhole cover. The Deputy Chief arrived soon after and requested Nstar to respond and police to close Main Street to traffic. Engine 4 stretched a 1 3/4" line off the pumper and filled the manhole with water to cool the transformer. Dispatch advised OIC they were now getting calls for a possible problem at the Nstar power substation across the street. Companies were sent over and investigated and found nothing wrong.

An Nstar repair crew arrived just after noon and the fire department cleared soon after that.