New York woman and her grandchildren narrowly escape explosion from a manhole.

An explosion affecting multiple manholes in Poughkeepsie, New York, has been attributed to an electrical fault rather than a gas leak, according to utility officials on Tuesday. The incident occurred shortly after a woman and her two young children had passed over a manhole when it suddenly erupted, sending debris scattering across the street.

The frightening event was captured on video, showcasing the near-miss experienced by the pedestrians. The woman, identified as Lisa Davis, was pushing a stroller containing one child while another walked beside her. The close call transpired moments after they walked past the affected manhole, which violently exploded and sent shards of concrete and other materials flying in all directions. The woman recounted how she instinctively grabbed her grandson and fled the scene as subsequent explosions occurred nearby.

Emergency responders were on the scene within approximately three minutes after receiving reports about the explosion and possible injuries. The Poughkeepsie Fire Department confirmed that two other manholes in the vicinity also experienced similar explosions, narrowly avoiding additional injury to the trio of pedestrians. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in connection to these incidents.

Initially, investigators speculated that a gas leak may have caused the explosions, primarily due to the discovery of elevated levels of explosive gas at the site. Moreover, multiple buildings in the area showed high levels of carbon monoxide, prompting officials to evacuate residents while they addressed the hazardous gas concentrations.

The street remained closed for several hours as local authorities conducted their investigation. Eventually, the matter was handed over to Central Hudson, the utility company responsible for the area’s infrastructure. Following an assessment, Central Hudson confirmed that the explosions stemmed from an electrical fault in an underground cable and were unrelated to their natural gas distribution systems.

A spokesperson for Central Hudson expressed relief that no injuries had occurred and indicated that manhole explosions linked to electrical faults, although not uncommon, remain severe risks. The company is currently reviewing the affected cable to ascertain the cause of the malfunction and to maintain safety and reliability throughout their infrastructure.

The incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by underground utilities and the critical importance of quick and effective emergency response strategies in ensuring public safety. As investigations continue, residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual occurrences in their proximity to avoid potential hazards.