San Francisco Underground Vault Eruptions Shut Down Downtown Blocks
An electrical malfunction likely sparked the blaze, and officials said four vaults erupted, two manhole covers blew out and nearby power was shut down.
- On Thursday, underground vault eruptions in downtown San Francisco prompted evacuations and a shelter-in-place order for the 100 to 300 blocks of California and Front streets, as San Francisco Fire Department crews responded to reports of smoke at 6 a.m.
- SFFD spokesperson Captain Jonathan Baxter stated the incident resulted from an "electrical malfunction," with four vaults erupting and blowing two manhole covers into the street as crews established unified command with Pacific Gas & Electric .
- The incident triggered power outages, forcing the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency to block the California Street cable car line and arrange bus shuttles as PG&E disconnected additional power affecting the Financial District.
- By 10:15 a.m. Thursday, the Department of Emergency Management lifted the shelter-in-place order after Samuel Menchaca, a public information officer with SFFD, confirmed that smoke and life-safety hazards were cleared from the downtown core.
- While investigations continue into what ignited the vaults, vault fires occur periodically around the city, including a similar incident two weeks ago at First and Mission streets and a Pacific Heights electrical vault explosion three years ago that shattered windows.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Four underground vaults erupted under San Francisco sparking mass chaos, power shut-off, and shelter in place
Four underground vaults caught fire Thursday morning beneath downtown San Francisco, sending smoke into the streets and forcing a shelter-in-place order as crews rushed to the Financial District. Firefighters reached the scene around 6 a.m. along California Street after reports of smoke pouring from multiple vaults. The order was later expanded to cover 100–300 California […]
Chaos as four underground vaults erupt under San Francisco sparking mass power shut-off, shelter in place
The San Francisco Fire Department responded to California Street after multiple underground vaults in the area erupted, leading to expanded shelter-in-place orders early Oct. 1.
Underground explosions spark fire, shelter-in-place order in San Francisco's financial district
PG&E confirmed the explosion was caused by a low-voltage underground cable. Surveillance video captured flames erupting as people ran for cover, seeking safety inside a building.
San Francisco vault fire shuts down area, prompts shelter-in-place order
By Cecilio Padilla A vault fire in downtown San Francisco prompted evacuations, a shelter-in-place order and a power outage Thursday morning, fire officials said. The San Francisco Fire Department responded just after 6 a.m. near California and Front streets after smoke was reported coming from several nearby vaults. Firefighters initially responded for reports of smoke
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