SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Following an underground explosion and fire that occurred on Thursday morning on Belmont Avenue, repairs are now underway in the Forest Park neighborhood. The incident involved an underground electrical unit exploding, displacing manhole covers in the area of the “X” intersection of Sumner Ave, Belmont Ave, and Dickinson Street. As a result, street closures and power outages occurred as crews worked to repair the damages.
One local business directly impacted by the incident is Forest Park Eye Care. The owners had to cancel a whole day of appointments after losing electricity early in the morning. Dr. Britt Adornato, the owner of the eye care practice, received an alarming text message from one of her staff members in the morning, notifying her about the explosion or fire happening in front of their building.
Due to the ongoing repairs and safety concerns, the eye care practice had to make the decision not to accept patients for the day. Dr. Adornato expressed the challenges of losing a whole day of business, especially since there is already a shortage of doctors in the general area. She also mentioned the importance of communicating with their patients about upcoming appointments.
As the emergency crews and Eversource continued to work on the repairs, people have been urged to stay away from the affected area. Street closures and power outages are expected to persist through the night and into Friday. The situation has caused significant disruptions for local businesses and residents in the Forest Park neighborhood.