Manhole Covers in Downtown Brockton Explode

BROCKTON, MA — Once again, the city of Brockton is dealing with exploding manhole covers in the downtown area.

Late Tuesday night, Brockton fire responded to a report of manhole explosions near Court and Montello Streets. It was the third time since July that manhole covers forcefully popped out of the ground.

National Gird Massachusetts President Marcy Reed said the explosion was caused by a faulty underground secondary line that sparked. She said she is also looking at what role the weather played.

"I want to apologize to the people of Brockton who felt an inconvenienced or a lack of safety. It is not our intent to put people in that position," Reed said during a press conference Wednesday morning.

Reed said following the first incident, the city and the utility company agreed to review all the sewer manholes in the city. That work is about 80 percent done and should be finished in a few days, she said. The last two manhole explosions happened before they could be reviewed.

About 1,100 homes and businesses in the downtown area were without power during last night's responce.

Mayor Bill Carpenter emphasized that the area is safe and there is no threat to public safety.

Image via WHDH/7-News