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WASHINGTON – Buildings were evacuated in an area near the World Bank (search) and International Monetary Fund on Thursday because of a manhole blast that was said to be a result of a transformer explosion under the street level.
Officials were working to get power shut off so firefighters could investigate the nature of the explosion, said DC Fire Department spokeswoman Kathryn Friedman. A strong smell of smoke filled the air and a couple of buildings were evacuated and office workers in the area were asked to stay inside.
Traffic in the area was snarled. No injuries were reported.
Pepco spokeswoman Mary-Beth Hutchinson said it’s an ordinary incident and probably was caused by rain.
The nature of the incident is not much cause for concern but rather the location, Hutchinson said.