Two mine explosions were reported in downtown Boston on Thursday morning near South Station in the financial district, forcing the evacuation of two buildings in the area, authorities said.
Boston police received a call about an explosion or fire in the Federal and High Street area around 8:40 a.m., officials said.
Boston Police Sergeant Detective John Boyle, a spokesman for the department, said two fires were reported in the shafts and that one person was injured. Injury to this man is not considered life-threatening, Boyle said.
Jennifer Peter
Ari Manakos, 30, of Dover, New York, works at 155 Federal St. and said he felt a rumble in the building as he used the toilet.
“I was in the bathroom and I sat well and the room shook,” he said as he stood outside with some of his colleagues. “It simply came to our notice then. I felt the building thunder. ”
He said he initially thought it was the elevator – until he heard the second explosion.
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“It’s great,” he said. “No one wants to think about the concept of explosions.
Jennifer Peter / Globe Staff
Boston’s EMS said via Twitter that the victim had been taken to Tufts Medical Center.
“We currently have units on the High Street site for mine explosions,” the agency tweeted. “Currently, 1 patient has been transported to Tufts via the @BOSTON_EMS Modern Life Support Ambulance.”
We currently have units on site on High Street for mine explosions. Currently 1 patient is being transported to Tufts by the @BOSTON_EMS Modern Life Support Ambulance.
– Boston EMS (@BOSTON_EMS) June 2, 2022
Boyle said police responded to the initial mine fire around 8:40 a.m. and then a second mine exploded.
“Traffic Council: Boston Police and Boston Fire Department are on site on Federal Street to report pothole fires,” Boston Police tweeted. “The closure of the streets is in force. Pedestrian and car traffic will be affected. “
Traffic Notices: Boston Police and Boston Fire Department are on site on Federal Street to report a fire in a hole. The closure of the streets is in force. Pedestrian and car traffic will be affected.
– Boston Police Department (@bostonpolice) June 2, 2022
Boston Deputy Fire Chief Brian Tully told reporters at the scene that EMS reported that the victim had been taken to Tufts Medical.
“The report I have is that this is a woman with burns, I’m not sure about the actual percentage of burns,” Tully said. “She was an outpatient, which means she went to the ambulance alone. They are not sure if it may have been a steam combustion.
Tully added that Eversource and NSTAR crews were on the scene and that pressure fans were used to reduce the increased levels of carbon monoxide in the affected buildings.
He said carbon monoxide levels are a likely by-product of the blasts.
The fire department also announced via Twitter that the explosions had led to the evacuation of nearby buildings.
“Companies at 10 High st for 2 manhole fires that broke the window of the building,” tweeted BFD. “175 Federal and 10 High st. have been evacuated. “
Companies at 10 Visoka Street for 2 fires in shafts that broke the window of the building. 175 Federal and 10 High Streets were evacuated. pic.twitter.com/eWWPXE76bO
– Boston Fire Service (@BostonFire) June 2, 2022
Eversource spokesman William Hinkle said the exploded mines belonged to the company. He said none of the Eversource employees were working there when they exploded.
The company now has teams on site investigating the cause, he said, adding that no Eversource customer had lost electricity as a result of the blasts.
“We’re working with the fire department and the necessary utilities … to investigate the cause,” Hinkle said.
Officials also tweeted that firefighters were inspecting buildings in the area for problems and ventilating basements.
“Companies are inspecting surrounding buildings for smoke and using dosed ones to check for elevated levels of carbon monoxide,” the fire department tweeted. “1 person was transported from @BOSTON_EMS to the hospital.”
Companies inspect surrounding buildings for smoke and use dosed ones to check for elevated carbon monoxide levels. 1 person was transported from @BOSTON_EMS to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/0OIheXTr5r
– Boston Fire Service (@BostonFire) June 2, 2022
A video posted on Twitter by 7News shows smoke billowing from the mine as firefighters and Boston police responded.
Jennifer Peter and Tonya Alanes from the Globe team contributed to this story. This is a devastating story that will be updated as more information becomes available.
You can contact Travis Andersen at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe. You can contact Matt Yan at matt.yan@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @ matt_yan12. You can find John R. Ellement at john.ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.
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