Explosion in Electrical Vault Blacks Out Area

An explosion in an underground electrical vault Saturday night below San Vicente Boulevard east of Fairfax Avenue blew a manhole cover into the air and cut off electricity to homes in a two-block area nearby, fire officials said.

The cause of the explosion, which happened shortly after 8:30 p.m., was unknown, they said. Department of Water and Power workers were called to the scene to investigate. No injuries were reported.

Joan Seroka, a motorist who saw the explosion, said the manhole was blown about 50 feet into the air and was followed by a flame that burned for about 30 seconds.