TAUNTON, Mass. -- Two people were injured when two manhole covers exploded near the city common.
Police say that an underground fire caused the manhole covers to shoot out and hit two pedestrians who were walking along Court Street Wednesday evening.
"What develops is a short circuit in some of the cabling. And the short circuit, like and arc welder so to speak, creates an awful amount of heat, begins to burn the insulation in and around the wiring. That causes the black smoke," Chief Raymond Padelford, Taunton Fire Department, said.
Crews cut the power along Court Street while they repaired the problem.
The two victims were treated for non-life threatening injures. One of the victims is being treated for an injury to his leg, while the other is being treated for smoke inhalation.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
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