Transformer Explodes Outside World Bank building

I just received email from a friend who works downtown DC.

Additional underground utility explosions have been reported.  All personnel should remain inside their buildings until the situation has been brought under full control.

Secret service directing traffic and stuff!

A quick search led me to this WTOP news brief:

WASHINGTON (AP) - An electrical transformer has exploded outside World Bank headquarters in downtown.

Crews from the D.C. Fire Department and Pepco are on the scene.

World Bank spokesman Damian Milverton says the problem is beneath 18th Street Northwest and not inside the bank. The bank is not being evacuated but folks are being asked to stay inside for now.

I'll add anything as I hear more from my friend.  He says they're not allowing people to cross the streets down there right now.

•  Exploding Transformers

  Are nothing new in DC.  The manhole covers in the Georgetown area of DC periodically become airborne when underground explosions occur.  Like most older cities, DC has a decaying underground infrastructure.

  by eafredel on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:18:11 AM PDT

•  Yeah

  all sorts of craziness outside my building (I work across the street from the White House) - roads closing, people milling around.  Fun stuff.

  by MasonLee on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:20:07 AM PDT

  •  Me too

    What building are you in?

    by PaulVA on Thu May 26, 2005 at 08:21:04 AM PDT

•  This is not unusual in DC

  Much of the electrical infrastructure in DC is over 100 years old and in bad shape.  For years we have had semi-monthly "manhole cover explosions" caused by the electrical mains sparking and causing underground fires.  The worst of them were in Georgetown in 2002, but now that Pepco is almost finished upgrading the electrical mains in Georgetown, there haven't been any there in awhile. Also they replaced the manhole covers with a vented style that allows air to escape and not build up pressure, causing the heavy cover to shoot up into the sky and be a hazzard.

  If anything the cause of this is degregulation allowing Pepco to let the infrastructure go to pot. SIGH.

  by akeitz on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:20:51 AM PDT

•  You're right...

  There were many instances over the past couple summers, especially throughout Georgetown.  

  Exploding manhole covers that shutdown and cause evacuation of parts of the World Bank are less common.  It's reported there may be a fire within the World Bank.

  I thought it was interesting enough to warrant posting.

  by dqueue on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:22:01 AM PDT

  •  no, it's all underground n/t

    by duckyindc on Thu May 26, 2005 at 08:02:01 AM PDT

•  the real fun begins

  when a manhole cover gets into restricted airspace

  by bopes on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:24:09 AM PDT

  •  like skeet shooting with anti-aircraft missles

    actually, last year there were a couple of exploding manhole covers in midtown manhattan that sent the news media crazy. Never knew those things could blow so high.

    by thirdparty on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:33:15 AM PDT

    •  Reminds me of the best top 10 list

      Top 10 New York City Pedestrian Tips - November 4, 1987

      10. The city does not employ so-called "wallet inspectors."
       9. Remember: regular hot dogs do not have fingernail.
       8. Yelling at cabdrivers in English wastes your time and theirs.
       7. John Gotti always has the right of way.
       6. Avoid paperwork for your next of kin by keeping dental records on you.
       5. Don't lick food from a stranger's beard.
       4. It's bad manners to lie down inside someone else's chalk body outline.
       3. Cabs driving on the sidewalk are not permitted to pick up passengers.
       2. If you catch an exploding manhole cover, you can keep it.
       1. If it doesn't smell like chili, it probably isn't.

      by nightsweat on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:37:35 AM PDT

•  This story needs a snarky byline...

  "Short circuit due to flung hair spit suspected"

  by Scoopster on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:24:48 AM PDT

  •  How about

     "Wolfowitz's Cousin Visits World Bank."

    by Anderson Republican on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:27:05 AM PDT

•  RIP

  Rest in peace Optimus Prime.

  by voltayre on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:25:03 AM PDT

•  days ago

  some pipe main burst.

  DC is symbolizing the decline of this country under devilyou. look forward to shantytowns in every major city, as we pour all our resources into the pockets of the war profiteers in Iraq.

  the really rich don't have to care. they can have their own generators, and never have to live in the midst of anything messy.

  by Miss Devore on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:35:43 AM PDT

•  An update: World Bank workers sent home...

  the WTOP story has been updated.

  World Bank spokesman Damian Milverton tells WTOP the World Bank Building does not have air conditioning and that workers have been told to go home.

  by dqueue on Thu May 26, 2005 at 07:55:21 AM PDT