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Underground Explosions Knock Out Lakeland Power

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By JENNIFER LEIGH

News Channel 8

Published: September 30, 2008

LAKELAND - About 500 Lakeland Electric clients - residents and various businesses, including the Lakeland Center - lost power for about an hour after a pair of underground explosions raised manhole covers and knocked out traffic lights downtown.

City spokesman Kevin Cook said a 7,200-volt underground power cable malfunctioned, triggering an explosion that blew a manhole cover into the air on Lime Street near the Lakeland Center. A transfer switch, which is akin to a circuit breaker, tripped after the explosion and turned off power, preventing a more serious blast. No one was injured.

Lakeland police Officer Darryl Vashon said he was driving east on Lime Street about 11:30 a.m. when he saw a manhole cover rise about 2 feet. When he got out to investigate, a second explosion caused manhole covers to rise again.

Power was restored about 12:30 p.m.

Jennifer Leigh

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