Manhole explosions blamed on power shorts


NFPA 70B Training - 2026 Edition - Electrical Maintenance Program Compliance

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
Officials believe electrical shorts might be causing manhole explosions in New Jersey.

Manhole covers in Atlantic City blew in the air for the third straight day. No one has been injured.

Firefighters say the five manholes that have exploded contained electrical equipment.

Fire Chief Dennis Brooks tells The Press of Atlantic City he saw a 200-pound cover shoot 10 feet in the air trailed by a yellowish-orange arc of electricity.

He says there was a deafening boom created by electricity "displacing the air in a confined space. Bam! It blows the top off."

Brooks says an electrical short from an underground utility box apparently caused the arc.

A spokesman says Atlantic City Electric is working to restore power.

Related News

Bitcoin consumes 'More electricity than Argentina' - Cambridge

Bitcoin energy consumption is driven by mining electricity demand, with TWh-scale power use, carbon footprint…
View more

Global use of coal-fired electricity set for biggest fall this year

Global Coal Power Decline 2019 signals a record fall in coal-fired electricity as China plateaus,…
View more

Salmon and electricity at center of Columbia River treaty negotiations

Columbia River Treaty Negotiations involve Canada-U.S. talks on B.C. dams, flood control, hydropower sharing, and…
View more

Vietnam Redefines Offshore Wind Power Regulations

Vietnam Offshore Wind Regulations expand coastal zones to six nautical miles, remove water depth limits,…
View more

Canadian Solar and Tesla contribute to resilient electricity system for Puerto Rico school

SunCrate Solar Microgrid delivers resilient, plug-and-play renewable power to Puerto Rico schools, combining Canadian Solar…
View more

PJM Opens Fast Track for Large Generation to Ease Transmission Bottlenecks

PJM Expedited Interconnection Track opens a FERC-approved fast-track for large capacity resources, with state siting…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Download the 2026 Electrical Training Catalog

Explore 50+ live, expert-led electrical training courses –

  • Interactive
  • Flexible
  • CEU-cerified