Manhole Explodes Next To Westport Train Station: FD

WESTPORT, CT — A manhole exploded on Railroad Place in Westport Wednesday morning, just feet away from the Westport Train Station, according to Assistant Westport Fire Chief Jeff Gootman.

No injuries were reported in the blast, which occurred just before 9 a.m.

"Arriving [fire department] units found smoke coming from a manhole and its cover displaced," wrote Gootman in a statement. "It was quickly determined that a manhole explosion had occurred. Firefighters checked the nearby occupancies and found no problems. Additionally, firefighters found an excavator had inadvertently dug up a live underground power line at a nearby construction site on Franklin Street."

Eversource crews were called in to the secure the power line, and as a result, Railroad Place was temporarily closed to traffic.

"The Westport Police Department provided traffic control on Railroad Place and Franklin Street," Gootman said. "The train station remained opened during the incident. Eversource remained on scene and estimated the repairs would continue into tomorrow morning."