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INDEXwiredInUSA - July 2013
Blasts caused by fault in cable
Explosions sparked by an underground
cable wire in downtown Des Moines blew
manhole covers off the street before
forcing evacuations and power outages
for surrounding buildings.
An explosion was reported shortly before
3am, The Des Moines Register reported.
Another explosion followed about ten
minutes later, less than a quarter mile from
the first, with flames shooting 4 to 5 feet into
the air.
The cause of the explosions was a fault in
an underground cable wire, officials said.
No injuries were reported.
The explosions forced police to evacuate
residents at Kirkwood Hotel and Elliot
Apartments, but they were allowed to
return by 5am, though they remained
without power through the afternoon.
Crews began repairs that forced them to
take twocircuits offline in thearea, affecting
traffic lights and several buildings, including
the Riverfront YMCA and the Capital
Square office building. MidAmerican
Energy spokeswoman Tina Potthoff said
generators were provided to the hotel and
apartment building.
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