Montclair Town Officials Share Concerns About Manhole Explosions

As PSE&G continues its investigation into a series of recent manhole explosions that have taken place in Montclair, township officials continue to wait for the utility provider’s report as to a possible root cause.

During a two-week period in March, nine separate manhole explosions have taken place in Montclair.

Municipal representatives and safety workers have generally deferred questions about the ongoing investigation to PSE&G. But the detonations have caused more than one township official to raise an eyebrow at PSE&G’s response to the incidents.

Deputy Mayor Robert Russo told Patch that one explosion took place a block or two from his home.

“Subsequent explosions have concerned me greatly, as there seems to be no real explanation or end to these incidents,” stated Russo in an email. “I refer all questions and action with PSE&G to our Township Manager and staff. I’m sure they will demand answers and solutions to this continuing safety problem.”

According to Municipal Communications Director Katya Wowk, speaking on behalf of Township Manager Timothy Stafford, both Stafford and Herrmann have sent inquiries to PSE&G and are currently awaiting the utility provider’s report.

Wowk said that municipal officials are doing what they can, but the ball is in PSE&G’s court.

“The [Fire Department] was there [at the explosions], but they’re not the ones that need to do the investigation… It’s PSE&G” Wowk pointed out.

Montclair Police Department Chief David Sabagh told Patch that the town has been lucky that no one has been injured in the explosions.

“These manholes go up five or six feet or more, and that can certainly cause severe injury,” Sabagh said.

Sabagh told Patch that PSE&G’s response has been “quick,” but he’s still concerned about the still-unknown root cause of the explosions.

“I haven’t received a clear answer on that,” the police chief said.

Sabagh – a longtime MPD veteran - recalled that there was an incident one summer about eight years ago where several manholes blew up in the middle of the street, causing underground fires and massive power outages.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had this happen before,” said Sabagh.

BURNED BY A MANHOLE EXPLOSION

A Patch reader from Florham Park who asked not to be named wrote with a cautionary account of how her husband got burned by a manhole explosion in the Wall Street area of New York City.

According to the woman, her husband was severely injured decades ago when flames unexpectedly shot out from the manhole’s cover flue, blowing him into the air, burning his leg and sending him to the hospital.

The woman said that her husband consumed fumes from the explosion into his lungs and required oxygen while hospitalized.

“He should have sued the city for damages, but there wasn’t time for that,” wrote the woman, who said that her husband is now 75 years-old and still working. “We couldn’t afford to fight city hall at such a young age with two kids and responsibilities.”

“When I think about all this I get so angry,” the woman added. “No one really understood the trauma it caused… I’m afraid of [manholes] to this day.”

Send Montclair news tips and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com