Exploding Manholes Close Street in Atlantic City, N.J.

July 14, 2011

Police say they’ve reopened one lane of a busy street that was closed after manhole explosions in downtown Atlantic City.

Fire Chief Dennis Brooks tells The Press of Atlantic City three explosions occurred early Wednesday on Pacific Avenue, causing a portion of the sidewalk to cave in. No one was injured.

Atlantic City Electric spokeswoman Sandra May said one manhole was affected by an explosion around 6:30 a.m., but three others nearby were affected by smoke or fire.

The incident forced police to close two blocks of Pacific Avenue. Some residents were evacuated while utility crews conducted inspections and made repairs.

Brooks said crews pumped significant amounts of water out of the utility line tunnels. He said water seepage could have caused the explosions.

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