Crews respond to underground explosion on Mass Ave.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Emergency crews were on the scene in the 400 block of Massachusetts Avenue downtown for a reported underground explosion.

Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department states that multiple calls came in reporting smoke and an explosion at 8:42 p.m. Monday.

IMPD closed Mass Ave between Michigan Street and Alabama Avenue while crews investigated.

The Indianapolis Power & Light Company said there were reports of people smelling gas, then a loud bang and flash occurred.

IPL said below the grate is a vault where transformers are located. They said a primary oil chamber in the vault failed. A crew will go underground to investigate further.

Crews reported that a primary oil chamber within the vault failed. IPL is investigating the reason for the failure.

Mass Avenue was busy with people enjoying the nice weather, but luckily there were no reports of injuries.

Joe Elliott was inside the Sub-Zero Ice Cream shop across the street when it happened.

“All of a sudden we heard this explosion,” Elliott said. “We turned around and I saw a bunch of leaves shoot up from the ground. Thought we saw a little bit of a fire shoot up. People started calling 911 and all of a sudden a bunch of fire trucks showed up.”

No power outages were reported but IPL said it’s possible some could occur as they investigate underground.

IPL said this incident involving the vault is not related to previous incidents involving manhole covers exploding.