LOS ANGELES (AP) — An explosion in an underground electrical vault Tuesday near UCLA sent smoke and flames shooting up from the street, shattered windows and hurled a manhole cover into a commuter bus, slightly injuring the driver, authorities said.
Nobody was seriously hurt by the explosion that occurred about 9:30 a.m. in the Westwood Village shopping and dining district near the University of California, Los Angeles.
Witnesses said flames and black smoke shot from a manhole, and windows in a bank were shattered.
However, there was no fire, and damage to a nearby building was minor, Fire Department spokesman Greg Acevedo said.
The heavy metal manhole cover blew off and hit the back of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority bus, MTA spokesman Rick Jager said.
The driver was treated for minor injuries, he said.
Acevedo did not know whether the bus was carrying passengers at the time.
No electrical outages were reported.
The cause of the blast was under investigation.
L.A. Bus Driver Injured in Manhole Explosion
Flames and black smoke shot from a manhole, and windows in a bank were shattered
Tweet
Product Connect
Power-PRO XT (Model 6500)
Stryker Power-PRO is a hydraulically powered ambulance cot with industry-leading ergonomics. Foot end controls activate powered lifting and lower function for capacities up to 700 lbs. Operator safety and patient comfort are significantly improved.
Power-PRO™ XT
Power-PRO XT powered ambulance cot dramatically reduces strenuous lifting and the associated risk of back injury.
Stair-PRO (Model 6252)
Stair-PRO is scientifically proven to reduce the risk of operator injury. The operator position, adjustability of handles, angle of the track and the built-in descent control made Stair-PRO the safest chair in its product category.
Featured Careers & Jobs in EMS
Articles
Day 6: Where in the World (of EMS) is A.J.?
The Ambulance Leadership Forum and a Yorkshire Ambulance... More >
Videos- Government-Run vs. Private EMS
- Making Safety Sexy
- Culture of Safety Draft Document
- Video: Demanding Safety
- Arming Leadership for Safety Change
Ambulance Innovations from Europe
EMS provider roles around the world differ, and so do the vehicles we use to transport patients... Register>
EMS Airway Clinic
Innovation & Progress
Follow in the footsteps of these inspirational leaders of EMS.
More >
ADVERTISEMENT
Russian Ammo Fire Injures About 30
Fire at ammunition dump in Russia injures about 30 people.
Watch It >
Moscow Subway Fire Injures Dozens
A rush-hour fire in Moscow's subway on Wednesday injured dozens of people, forced the evacuation of thousands of commuters and closed parts of the network, authorities said.
More >
EZ-IO® Intraosseous Infusion System Real Time Humerus Infusion
Leg access using the EZ-IO.
Watch It >
VividTrac offered by Vivid Medical - EMS Today 2013
VividTrac, affordable high performance video intubation device.
Watch It >
The AmbuBus®, Bus Stretcher Conversion Kit - EMS Today 2013
AmbuBus®, Bus Stretcher all-hazards preparedness & response tool
Watch It >






















