UPDATE: Exploding Manholes Possibly Caused By Electrical Short

An electrical short may have contributed to a utility emergency involving exploding manholes during Tuesday’s rush hour in Montclair and Verona, according to Montclair Fire Chief John Herrmann.

Around 5:30 p.m., an explosion caused a sinkhole on Bloomfield Avenue at the intersection of Sunset Avenue in Verona and dislodged six manhole covers on Claremont Avenue, in addition to causing traffic snarls in several directions. [See related story]

There were no reported injuries or power outages following the incident.

Herrmann told Patch on Wednesday morning that there was a “short in an electrical vault which dislodged the pavement” on Bloomfield Avenue.

PSE&G representatives are still investigating the cause of the explosion.

A spokesperson for the utility company released this statement:

“PSE&G responded with both electric and gas crews to try to determine what caused the covers to pop. Based on our investigation, there is no damage to underground electric lines, nor have we found the presence of natural gas in or near the manholes. There were no injuries and no customers are without service. The cause remains undetermined.”

The incident was brought up several times during the Montclair Township Council meeting on Tuesday evening. Deputy Mayor Robert Russo, who arrived late to the meeting, told attendees that he was one of the commuters stuck in the resulting traffic jam.

Send news tips to eric.kiefer@patch.com