Electrical cable failure determined cause of Greektown explosions

No injuries reported

DETROIT – An underground electrical cable failure caused of explosions in Greektown Wednesday night that sent manhole covers into the air and prompted evacuations.

No injuries were reported. DTE Energy says electrical service wasn’t affected.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Detroit's Greektown evacuated after manhole covers blow

The first explosion happened around 9:30 p.m. with reports that manhole covers were forced into the air.

Pedestrians were cleared from the streets, and Fishbone’s restaurant and the Atheneum Suite Hotel were evacuated.

The force of the explosions blew a door off a nearby building and damaged a car, according to Deputy Fire Commissioner David Fornell.

A manhole cover was found on the roof of a nearby eight-story building.

“A thick, heavy plume of smoke filled the air,” Detroit police Capt. Darin Szlagy said. “We determined it was coming from underground.”

Firefighters said smoke filled the basement of Fishbone’s restaurant.

The perimeter of Greetown was blocked off.

Authorities assessed the damage of the area Thursday morning. DTE crews worked through the night to make repairs.

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About the Authors:

Nick joined the Local 4 team in February of 2015. Prior to that he spent 6 years in Sacramento covering a long list of big stories including wildfires and earthquakes. Raised in Sterling Heights, he is no stranger to the deep history and pride Detroit has to offer.