February 11, 2016
Contributed Art/Philly311
Transformer explodes underground at 2100 block of Walnut Street.
Five buildings in Center City were evacuated late Thursday afternoon after an underground transformer explosion caused an electrical fire and sent smoke billowing up from the sidewalk at 23rd and Walnut streets.
Philly 311 tweeted an advisory for drivers and pedestrians to avoid traffic near the 2100 block of Walnut Street, where the explosion itself was reported around 5:30 p.m., according to 6 ABC.
Breaking. Avoid traffic near 2100 Walnut St. Electricity is out due to transformer explosion via @PhillyFireDept pic.twitter.com/nvcBU4pnMv
— Philly311 (@philly311) February 11, 2016
A video from the scene at 23rd and Walnut shows smoke rising from the sidewalk.
Large underground electrical fire shooting up at 23rd and Walnut in Philadelphia. #philadelphiafire @6abc pic.twitter.com/Qu9U3UIGf6
— Chris Peters (@ChrisPetersPR) February 11, 2016
Firefighters and PECO crews responded to the scene, where more than 400 power outages were listed in the area. As of 6:46 p.m., officials declared the situation under control.
There were no injuries reported at the scene.
