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# Exploding Manholes Knock Out Power At Two Local Businesses
- URL: https://bklyner.com/exploding-manholes-knock-out-power-at-two-businesses-near-sheepshead-bay-road-sheepshead-bay/
- Published: 2016-02-09T18:24:05.000Z
- Updated: 2016-02-09T18:24:05.000Z
- Author: Alex Ellefson
- Tags: News, Nonsponsored, Sheepshead Bay, Southern Brooklyn, Con Edison, east 14th street, manhole fires, Manholes, power outage, sheepshead bay road, #wp

![Maintenance crews at East 14th Street and Sheepshead Bay Road. (Photo provided by Facebook User Crafty Carol) ](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12714419_1052285374822604_670071727_n.jpg)

Maintenance crews at East 14th Street and Sheepshead Bay Road. (Photo provided by Facebook User Crafty Carol)

Two manhole covers erupted Monday morning at a busy commercial intersection near Sheepshead Bay Road and East 14th Street, Con Edison confirmed.

The explosions were reported at 8:10am and knocked out power at two nearby businesses throughout the day, a Con Ed spokesperson said. A neighbor sent us photos of maintenance crews working around the open sewers near the CVS Pharmacy during the evening.

![(Photo provided by Facebook user Crafty Carol)](/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12665610_1052292998155175_1968183879_n.jpg)

(Photo provided by Facebook user Crafty Carol)

Con Edison did not specify which businesses were affected, but reported that power was restored at 7:15pm.

New York City experienced a surge in exploding manholes after the [record-breaking blizzard](/volunteers-distribute-hot-food-to-neighbors-stranded-by-the-winter-storm/) that arrived in late January. [NBC New York reports](http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/New-York-City-Manhole-Explosion-Fires-Blizzard-Salt-Snow-366744551.html?ref=bklyner.com) there were 400 manhole fires reported in the city between Friday, January 22 and Wednesday, January, 27\. A spokesperson for Con Edison told the news station that water runoff from melting snow mixed with salt can trigger a spark in the electrical cables under the street.

Manhole fires can become more frequent during wet winter and summer months. There was a similar proliferation of exploding manholes during this time last year. A spokesperson for Con Edison [told us last year](/whats-manhole-explosions-con-edison-explains/) that 99 percent of manhole fires are caused by weather. The salt used to keep roads from icing over acts as a conductor for electricity — making it easier for a fire to occur. The smoke trapped builds up in the sewers until the pressure causes a manhole to pop out of the ground, the spokesperson said.