CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Harvard Square in Cambridge was closed to vehicle and pedestrian traffic amid a large emergency response following manhole explosions and “high levels” of carbon monoxide on Wednesday morning, officials said.
Firefighters responded to a report of a fire in the area of 27 Brattle Street around 9 a.m. and found a smoking and flaming manhole, according to the Cambridge Fire Department.
Cambridge police officers diverted traffic around the area in an effort to ensure the public’s safety.
+Caption(Cambridge Police Department)
“If at all possible, people should continue to avoid traveling through Harvard Square until further notice,” Cambridge police said in a tweet around 10:30 a.m.
Buildings in the area that have been exposed to carbon monoxide were evacuated and aired out as firefighters monitored the situation.
Just before 12:30 p.m., police announced that the scene had been “consolidated” and that JFK Street was back open to traffic.