One person was injured as the result of an underground electrical explosion at 34th and Walnut this morning at around 10:15 a.m. The explosion of underground PECO electric lines propelled two manhole covers into the air, right in front of The Gap and Penn’s Franklin Building, and injured a man, according to an announcement by Penn Public Safety Division. The injured person is currently receiving medical treatment.
The affected PECO lines have been under repair over the past few weeks due to power outages in the area.
The sidewalk was closed and Walnut Street was reduced to one lane following the incident. Police were on the scene to assist with traffic.
The incident prompted Penn Public Safety to issue the following statement: “Rest assured that this incident is not related to the current international unrest.”
The all clear was announced and normal activity with some police presence resumed in the area at about 10:50 a.m.
March 24th, 2016 at 8:43 pm
I was walking right by it when it happened. Huge bang, rattled everything around it. I was knocked off my feet, but like most people, was just left confused, not hurt. I am shocked more people weren’t hurt. I hope the person injured, who was quickly surrounded by construction workers and other folks, is okay.