BU Bridge Explosion Heard In Cambridge, Bridge, Comm Ave Closed

CAMBRIDGE, MA — After a gas main break caused an explosion on or near the BU Bridge the B line service was suspended in the area, as were a section of Comm Ave and Storrow Drive, according to police and MBTA officials.

No serious injuries were reported early on. One early unconfirmed scanner report indicated there may be a partial trench collapse at the construction site and one person was being evaluated by EMS.

Patch readers in Cambridgeport described hearing an explosion that sounded distinctly explosive and not as high pitched as fireworks.

Cambridgeport residents reported hearing sirens heading toward the bridge immediately after hearing the explosion about 9:50 p.m.. Cambridge Police responded as did Boston Police, but the source of the explosion was on the Boston side near the construction zone for the Comm Ave bridge.

Police are reporting a manhole fire at 860 Comm Ave. as the area where the explosion happened. One person called police reporting a manhole cover explosion early on, and later the MBTA reported it was a gas main break.

Police were blocking Comm Ave at Kenmore Square, according to early scanner reports. Look for traffic to be rerouted through Brookline.

Police requested the gas company and OSHA.

By 10:40 p.m. the MBTA was getting ready to restart service after discussing with the fire department, while the gas company still hadn't shown up, according to the police radio.

File photo of the Comm Ave Construction by Jenna Fisher/Patch

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