PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A fire inside a manhole in downtown Providence triggered a brief power outage late Tuesday evening, officials say, raising fresh concerns about underground electrical safety in the region.
At approximately 7:00 p.m., firefighters responded to the intersection of Governor Street and Angell Street in Providence after reports of smoke and sparks coming from beneath the roadway.
Crews from Rhode Island Energy were dispatched simultaneously to restore power, as dozens of nearby customers lost service for a short period.
According to initial statements, the incident appears to be the result of a manhole fire — an underground blaze that ignited within electrical infrastructure, likely involving wiring or transformer components. The company is collaborating with fire investigators to determine the exact cause.
While outages were resolved and no injuries were reported, local officials say the event underscores vulnerabilities in aging subterranean utility systems. In a similar incident last year, Rhode Island Energy attributed a downtown manhole explosion to an “electrical failure,” though that event did not cause power loss.
Providence’s emergency management office urged residents to treat manhole covers with caution and avoid venting or popping open during disturbances. Fire Chief James Johnson (of the Providence Fire Department) noted that such events can release carbon monoxide and pose electrocution risks. “Even an underground fault can lead to surface hazards,” he said.
Utility crews report that service was fully restored by 8:30 p.m., after rerouting power around the affected feeder line and inspecting surrounding vaults. Full structural inspections of the manhole and adjacent infrastructure are ongoing, with parts of Governor and Angell streets remaining closed Wednesday until safe access is confirmed.
The episode arrives during a period of heightened scrutiny for utility infrastructure across New England. Experts say many systems installed decades ago were not designed to accommodate current loads from heat-pumps, electrification and expanded data-center usage. According to a report by the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, underground cable faults remain among the most challenging to locate and remediate, especially when they involve manhole vaults with mixed utilities.
Rhode Island Energy has reminded customers to report unusual smells, hissing sounds, or smoke near manholes, and to stay clear of open or damaged vault covers. The company also reiterated its mobile outage map and alert system, although recent criticisms suggest transparency and reliability may need improvement.
In conclusion, while the outage was short-lived, the manhole fire incident in Providence highlights the latent risks of aging underground electrical systems and the need for proactive infrastructure inspections and upgrades in Rhode Island.
FAQs:
Q1: What caused the power outage in Providence?
A1: The outage was caused by a fire inside a manhole beneath the intersection of Governor and Angell streets in Providence. Crews from Rhode Island Energy responded and restored power by approximately 8:30 p.m.
Q2: Was anyone injured during the manhole fire?
A2: No injuries have been reported. Firefighters and utility crews responded promptly, and the incident is under investigation.
Q3: How long was the outage?
A3: Service was lost in the local area at about 7:00 p.m. and was restored by around 8:30 p.m., once rerouting and inspection were completed.
Q4: What steps are being taken to investigate?
A4: Rhode Island Energy is working with Providence fire officials to inspect the manhole vault, assess any damage to cables or transformer equipment, and determine the root cause of the fire.
Q5: Are manhole fires common?
A5: While not everyday occurrences, manhole fires do happen and can be caused by underground cable faults, insulation breakdowns, or overloaded vaults. Rhode Island has seen a similar incident previously, though that one did not result in a power outage.
Q6: What should residents do if they notice smoke or fire coming from a manhole?
A6: Immediately call 911 and report the incident to Rhode Island Energy. Do not open or approach manhole covers, and stay clear of the area until crews arrive.
Q7: How can customers stay informed on outages and alerts?
A7: Customers can sign up via Rhode Island Energy’s website or text alert system for outage notifications, check the mobile outage map (though it has had reliability issues) and report service problems directly to the utility.
