Underground fire in downtown Baltimore causes road closures, thousands of power outages

Numerous roads in downtown Baltimore are closed and power to some businesses and residences is shut off due to an underground fire, according to a news release from the Baltimore Department of Emergency Services. The fire has been extinguished.

Early Sunday crews responded to the 300 block of North Charles Street for reports of an underground fire with multiple manholes emitting smoke and a possible manhole explosion, according to the release. Crew observed numerous manholes releasing smoke from their covers and one emitting fire.

Power was shut off by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. to allow Baltimore City firefighters to safely extinguish the blaze, the cause of which is still under investigation, according to city fire officials. Threats to the public have been mitigated.

According to BGE around noon, about 2,200 customers are still without power.

The outage affects the area of Lexington, Mulberry, Saratoga, Calvert and Sharp streets. The Baltimore City Fire Department posted on the social platform X around noon that road closures include Charles Street north of Fayette Street and south of Franklin Street, as well as Saratoga and Lexington streets east of Liberty Street and west of St. Paul Street.

All of the traffic lights in the area were out Sunday around 11:30 a.m., with some cars blowing through intersections. Road closures were blocked by cones, as well as vehicles from Baltimore Police, the Department of Public Works and the Maryland Department of Transportation.

A gaping hole enveloped the floor of Viva Books, a new and used bookseller on North Charles Street. Debris and books were strewn about the interior.

In the commercial area commonly known as Charles Plaza, the majority of businesses, such as Streets Market & Cafe and the Charles Street 7-Eleven, were dark around 11:30 a.m., even if they had signs illuminated. Foot traffic was light in the normally busy area, with some people walking in the middle of the street. BGE crews were posted along the side of the road.

BGE is currently assessing the impact the fire had on underground electric infrastructure to carry out necessary repairs.

Crews assessing the scene pieced together four fragments of an exploded manhole cover at the intersection of North Charles and East Pleasant streets.

Last week, another Sunday fire downtown drew a response of over 240 personnel from numerous agencies. No injuries were reported.