ROAD SALT CORRODES THE ELECTRIC WIRE AND CAUSES ELECTRICAL FIRES THAT SEND MANHOLE COVERS FLYING IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN
February 3, 2015
DETROIT -- Officials
say an underground electrical problem, caused by the corrosive road salt and
other additives used to melt the snow, sent three manhole covers into the air
in downtown Detroit, prompting the evacuation of an office building.
The Detroit Fire
Department responded Tuesday morning. No injuries are reported.
Fire Chief John King
tells The Detroit News that an electrical fire was to blame. CBS Radio station
WWJ-AM reports he says that smoke in the building's basement led to the
evacuation, but there was no fire in the building. The public is being asked to
stay away from the area.
King said the whole
situation unfolded after three manhole covers apparently "blew up."
"We believe we
have some underground wiring that has affected the scene. This building right
here has been evacuated because of the amount of smoke that was accumulating in
the basement, but there is no fire in this building nor has it affected the
electrical in this building. But it's being evacuated and it will be shut down
the rest of the day," King said.