BREAKING NEWS! (Source: David Hills / Getty)
Updated at 9:40 a.m.: A part of Capital Avenue has reopened to traffic during this Thursday morning’s commute after several downtown explosions blew several manhole covers in the area of Capital Avenue and North Streets. Several building evacuations are still ongoing and Indianapolis Power and Light (IPL) is working with the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) to coordinate when they will allow people to return to buildings in the affected area. An investigation into why manhole covers are exploding in the downtown area is continuing. Regarding power that was cut off to affected areas this morning, IPL Tweeted:
Thursday Morning (Indianapolis)–Underground explosions are forcing evacuations right now in downtown Indy at the One America building –formerly known as the AUL building. If you’re heading towards downtown on this workday, you’ll need to avoid Capitol Avenue and Illinois Street around North Street. Manhole covers are blowing from these underground explosions. The first manhole cover blew this morning at Capital and North. The Indianapolis Fire Department and various utility companies, including Indianapolis Power & Light, are responding to the scene. Power has been shut off in that immediate area, according to various media reports. Therefore there are no traffic lights in a few block radius. You are asked to avoid the area and do not walk near or over manhole covers in the downtown area. IPL says at least four manhole covers came up.
Traffic is being diverted to West/Martin Luther King Jr Streets and away from the area around the One America Building. This is causing some major concerns, as the NCAA Final Four is headed soon to Indy and investigations are still underway as to why these heavy manhole covers are blowing. Earlier this week there was a similar underground explosion on Massachusetts Avenue.
Again to recap–Underground explosions have occurred in downtown Indy this Thursday morning around 7 a.m. The One America building, and a few others close by, have been evacuated for safety’s sake in the area near Capitol Avenue and North Street. No injuries have been reported. Power was cut to the area and authorities say you should avoid the area this morning.
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