Build up of toxic smoke caused Dublin manhole explosion
A build up of toxic smoke in a sewer underneath the street was the cause of a manhole cover to blow open in Dublin city yesterday.
The blast was witnessed by up to a dozen passers-by at the corner of Merrion St and Baggot St at approximately 10am. No one was injured.
Emergency services were informed and the street was closed for a number of hours.
Crews from the ESB, Bord Gais, Eircom and Dublin Fire Brigade worked for most of the day to determine the cause of the blast. A section of Merrion Street was closed as a result.
Initial fears were that the explosion was gas-related, but Bord Gais has confirmed that it was not.
Dublin Fire Brigade district officer David Kavanagh also said the explosion was not believed to be related to the recent heatwave.
