Underground explosion erupts through sidewalk grate in Pittsburgh, burning bystander

Explosion erupts through grate, burns Pa. woman

PITTSBURGH — Officials in Pittsburgh say flames from an underground explosion shot up through a metal sidewalk grate, burning a woman who was standing there.

City police Sgt. William Gorman says witnesses report the woman “just burst into flames” while standing on Boulevard of the Allies.

Duquesne Light officials say a cable failure Friday evening caused the explosion, which also shook nearby buildings.

The woman was transported to a hospital with first- and second-degree burns on her face, arms and legs. Her identity has not been released.

Authorities closed Boulevard of the Allies for more than an hour while they tried to pin down the cause of the blast. The street has since reopened.