DTE cable failure causes of manhole explosions, Greektown evacuation

DETROIT (WJBK) - Underground explosions caused manhole covers to be blown off and evacuations in Greektown Wednesday night.

Police led pedestrians out of the area and set up road blocks to keep gawkers a safe distance away. There have been no injuries reported.

The manholes blew off in the area of Beaubien in the heart of Greektown. Randy Wimbley said that according to DTE Energy an isolated cable failure caused the incident. Smoke was then reported inside Fishbone's.

William, a witness, said that he knew of at least four manholes blowing off in the area.

"We were eating and it was a loud explosion we saw flames just come up out of the manhole cover," he said. "It was pretty crazy. Everybody came out of every restaurant to look at it, it was pretty nuts."

Police directed foot traffic away in the Beaubien and Congress area. Evacuations were only a precaution.

Greektown casino was not immediately evacuated but shuttles were later used to transport some of the patrons and clear the area.

Some diners were encouraged to stay inside restaurants in the area because it was considered safer than leaving for their cars.

DTE is causing it a cable failure that caused the explosions and the smoke at 400 Monroe. Utility workers continue to investigate.