Crime & Safety
Underground Electrical Explosion Leaves 6,000 Without Power
The explosion didn't cause any surface damage and no injuries were reported.
An underground electrical explosion left 6,000 residents without power Sunday evening, according to the Union City Police Department.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when a 600-amp three-way switch exploded and caused a fire underground in the area of Alvarado-Niles and Hop Ranch roads, police said. The fire was contained under four large metal plates bolted to the sidewalk and did not reach the surface.
Officers responded to the scene to find smoke coming from several metal plates on the sidewalk and notified PG&E.
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According to police, there was no damage to the sidewalk or road and no injuries were reported. Only one motorist in the area reported body and windshield damage to his vehicle.
The cause of the explosion was unknown as of 11 p.m. Sunday.
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PG&E estimated that 6,000 residents lost power due to the explosion, but all service had been restored by 11 p.m. Sunday.
PG&E is continuing to repair the switch and expects to be finished by 9 a.m. Monday.
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