Cambridge, Massachusetts – Students in dorms along Amherst Alley faced a chaotic situation in the early morning of May 6 due to a manhole explosion near W85 and Tang Hall. The incident led to power outages in several buildings, necessitating the intervention of the Cambridge Fire Department. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the explosion, but power restoration efforts were still ongoing at the time of the incident.
One of the affected buildings, Next House, found students trapped in elevators during the blackout. Firefighters had to rescue them, but all students were safely evacuated from the elevators. Damage to MIT’s electrical equipment, caused by the manhole explosion, was pinpointed as the cause of the power outage, according to an official update from MIT’s emergency website. Repair work was underway, but a timeline for full power restoration was not provided.
Despite the challenges posed by the blackout, some dorms managed to maintain limited lighting and internet connectivity thanks to backup generators. Students experienced various inconveniences, with one student mentioning the loss of refrigeration for their meal prep. Nearby residents reported brief flickering lights following the explosion.
The incident was not isolated, as similar manhole explosions had occurred in the area in recent months. From Harvard Square to Northeastern University, these explosions have caused disruptions in the past, attributed to factors like rainfall and cable failures. The heavy rain in Cambridge and Boston prior to the MIT incident may have played a role in the explosion.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining infrastructure to prevent such incidents. MIT has experienced power outages in the past, with the most recent major blackout occurring in 2012. Efforts to address the root causes of these outages are crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of students and residents in the area.
For more updates on the situation, individuals can refer to MIT’s emergency website for the latest information as the situation continues to develop.