Manhole Explosions Shut Down Newbury Street in Boston

Buildings evacuated after electrical issue causes multiple manholes to explode

Feb. 3, 2026 at 11:07pm

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A series of manhole explosions on Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood on Tuesday evening led to the evacuation of several buildings and the closure of the surrounding streets. The Boston Fire Department reported that an electrical issue caused six manholes to explode, with smoke and steam pouring out from the impacted area. No injuries were reported, and residents were allowed to return to their homes and businesses after about an hour.

Why it matters

Manhole explosions can pose a serious threat to public safety, as they can send heavy metal covers flying into the air and create dangerous conditions on the streets. This incident highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading the city's aging infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic areas like Newbury Street, which is a popular shopping and dining destination.

The details

The explosions occurred around 5:30 pm on Tuesday, with witnesses reporting hearing popping noises and seeing smoke or steam coming from the manholes. The fire department evacuated five buildings that were connected to the impacted electrical line. The utility company Eversource was on the scene investigating the cause of the incident, which they believe was an electrical issue. The manholes were recently replaced with a design intended to prevent the covers from becoming projectiles during an explosion.

  • The explosions occurred around 5:30 pm on Tuesday, February 4, 2026.
  • Residents were allowed to return to their homes and businesses after about an hour.

The players

Maggie Zhang

A resident who recorded video of the incident from her apartment and was evacuated by first responders.

Will Mountzoures

A person who was looking for a parking spot when he heard the popping noises and saw the smoke or steam coming from the manholes.

Eversource

The utility company that was on the scene working on the impacted lines and starting an investigation into the cause of the incident.

Boston Fire Department

The department that responded to the incident, evacuated buildings, and reported that the manhole covers were recently replaced with a design intended to prevent them from becoming projectiles during an explosion.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it is a little frightening.”

— Maggie Zhang (cbsnews.com)

“I noticed there was a lot of smoke. I couldn't tell like steam or smoke or what, but it smelled like burning rubber.”

— Will Mountzoures (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

Eversource will continue its investigation into the cause of the electrical issue that led to the manhole explosions, and the city will likely review the incident to determine if any infrastructure upgrades or safety measures are needed to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining and upgrading a city's aging infrastructure, particularly in high-traffic areas, to ensure public safety and prevent potentially dangerous situations like manhole explosions from occurring.