Multiple Manhole Explosions Prompt Evacuations on Boston's Newbury Street

No injuries reported as utility crews work to restore power and assess damages.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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Multiple manhole explosions in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood led to the evacuation of four buildings on Newbury Street on Saturday evening. The initial fire at the intersection of Dartmouth and Newbury streets quickly expanded to six separate manhole fires, prompting a response from the Boston Fire Department. No injuries were reported, but low levels of carbon monoxide were detected in several buildings.

Why it matters

Manhole explosions can pose serious risks to public safety, especially in densely populated urban areas like Boston's Newbury Street. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure to prevent such incidents and ensure the safety of residents and businesses.

The details

The manhole fires were first reported at 5:21 p.m. on Saturday. Firefighters investigated the scene and shut down several streets, including a stretch of Newbury Street, to address the situation. Utility company Eversource acknowledged that a "limited number" of customers were without power, and crews worked to restore electricity and assess the damages.

  • The initial manhole fire was reported at 5:21 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2026.
  • The fires quickly expanded to six separate manhole fires in the area.

The players

James Greene

Boston Deputy Fire Chief who noted the presence of low levels of carbon monoxide in several buildings and declared the situation "isolated to the manholes."

Eversource

The utility company that acknowledged a "limited number" of customers were without power and coordinated with the fire department and city officials to restore power and assess the damages.

Will Mountzoures

A 27-year-old witness who encountered the incident from his car and expressed concern about the safety of pedestrians in the busy Newbury Street area.

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What they’re saying

“It's such a busy street and area that you have to worry about pedestrians walking by. It's scary.”

— Will Mountzoures (The Boston Globe)

“Safety remains our top priority.”

— Eversource spokesperson (WCVB)

What’s next

The ongoing investigation aims to determine the cause of the manhole fires and implement preventative measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of maintaining and upgrading aging infrastructure in densely populated urban areas to ensure public safety. It also underscores the need for utility companies and local authorities to work together to quickly respond to and address such emergencies.