PG&E crews examine an underground vault following an explosion this morning
at the heavily trafficked intersection of Market and 4th streets in downtown San Francisco.
Photos by Luke Thomas
By Luke Thomas
July 6, 2009
For the fourth time in as many years, a PG&E underground vault exploded this morning at a busy intersection in downtown San Francisco.
At 10:10 am, at the corner of 4th and Market streets, a loud subterranean explosion followed by plumes of acrid gray smoke triggered panic among passersby, shoppers and tourists.
Fire crews arrived quickly on scene and used Co2 to prevent another possible inferno that followed a similar PG&E vault explosion in the Tenderloin, June 5.
PG&E spokesperson Joe Molica said today’s incident is under investigation but was unable to confirm what may have caused the explosion or what type of electrical equipment is installed at the location.
Molica said one business is without power.
No injuries have been reported.
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
Follow Me:
The Hunger Site
July 6, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Yet another reason fo Public Power. We could blow up the streets a damn sight cheaper and have fun doing it.