No injuries after vault explodes in Los Angeles


CSA Z462 Arc Flash Training – Electrical Safety Compliance Course

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

  • Live Online
  • 6 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$249
Coupon Price:
$199
Reserve Your Seat Today
An explosion in an underground electrical vault has caused evacuations at four downtown Los Angeles buildings. No injuries have been reported.

Fire Department spokeswoman d'Lisa Davies says the vault blew the morning of February 18, causing heavy smoke, but no fire, to erupt from a manhole.

Davies says the buildings were evacuated for more than two hours so inspectors could determine if there might be fires inside their electrical systems. No fires were found.

The Department of Water and Power says the explosion caused 83 power outages in the area.

The cause of the blast is under investigation.

A similar vault explosion in the city caused an electrical fire that killed a firefighter and injured another in March.

Related News

Russia and Ukraine Accuse Each Other of Violating Energy Ceasefire

Russia-Ukraine Energy Ceasefire Violations escalate as U.S.-brokered truce frays, with drone strikes, shelling, and grid…
View more

BC Hydro rebate and B.C. Affordability Credit coming as David Eby sworn in as premier

BC Affordability & BC Hydro Bill Credits provide inflation relief and cost of living support,…
View more

New fuel cell could help fix the renewable energy storage problem

Proton Conducting Fuel Cells enable reversible hydrogen energy storage, coupling electrolyzers and fuel cells with…
View more

Idaho Power Settlement Could Close Coal Plant, Raise Rates

Idaho Power Valmy Settlement outlines early closure of the North Valmy coal-fired plant in Nevada,…
View more

Wall Street Backs Rick Perry’s $19 Billion Data Center Venture

Wall Street backs Rick Perry’s $19 billion nuclear-powered data center venture, Fermi America, combining nuclear…
View more

Yukon receives funding for new wind turbines

Yukon Renewable Energy Funding backs wind turbines, grid-scale battery storage, and transmission line upgrades, cutting…
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