Steam pipe explodes under downtown Indianapolis street
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — No one was hurt when an underground steam pipe ruptured Saturday afternoon in downtown Indianapolis, Indianapolis Fire Department said.
Multiple 911 callers reported an explosion and heavy smoke about 2:40 p.m. Saturday along North Senate Avenue south of West Michigan Street.
The eruption sent a manhole cover and pavement around it into the air, leaving a large amount debris on the avenue, and caused smoke and steam to shoot loudly from the ground for several minutes, the fire department said in a news release issued Saturday night.
Senate Avenue had partially reopened to traffic by 7:30 p.m. Saturday, as crews worked on the east side of the street. Senate Avenue is expected to fully reopen by Monday.
A spokeswoman for Citizens Energy Group said in an email shortly before 8 p.m. that crews will be making repairs through Sunday.
The department initially warned people in tweets to stay away as Citizens Energy Group works to shut down the pipe; no people in nearby stores or apartments were displaced. Shortly before 3:45 p.m., the remaining steam was expelled from the pipe, and fire department ended its involvement.
Storm Track 8 meteorologist David James says the temperature in Indianapolis topped out at 93 on Saturday, the hottest day so far in 2021.