AN UNDERGROUND explosion has caused mass power outages and traffic chaos in Melbourne this morning.
Fire investigators have confirmed faulty cables caused the blast.
Pressure from a high voltage power surge blew off the lid of a manhole near the corner of Willam St and Flinders Ln about 8.10am.
Emergency services received reports of large amounts of smoke, but there was no fire.
Police have reopened the roads following traffic diversions, but cars remain blocked from turning left from William St onto Flinders Ln as repair work is carried out.
Police had blocked off roads between Collins, Flinders, William and Market street until about 11.30am.
One firefighter sustained a minor electrical shock and was treated by paramedics.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade senior station officer Dean Gould said people in nearby buildings were in no danger.
“An electrical explosion can be quite violent,” he said.
“We blocked off the traffic for our own operational sake and for the safety of the public.
“It is not unusual for sub-stations and power stations to have surges.”
CitiPower have restored power to more than 100 customers affected.
It will repair the damage caused by the fault today.
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