Feb. 12 -- An underground electrical cable failure appears to be what caused four manhole covers at Orchestra Hall in Detroit to blow off this morning (Feb. 12) at about 8:30 a.m.
DTE Energy crews are working to isolate the source of the problem, company spokesman Len Singer said.
Some times methane gas can build up and cause the blasts, he said.
There was also a small explosion in the basement, fire officials said.
Staff inside the building, which is home to the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, were evacuated and no injuries have been reported, DSO spokeswoman Gabrielle Poshadlo said. They haven't been allowed back inside yet, she said shortly after 1:15 today.
"We don't know the extent of the damage to the building," she said.
Fire, police and DTE Energy officials are on scene and have Woodward-- from Parsons to Selden--blocked off.
The Sphinx 15 Finals Competition scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. today has been moved to Hill Auditorium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Poshadlo said. It's still scheduled for 2 p.m. today.
Copyright 2012 - Detroit Free Press
