Transformer explodes sending manhole cover into air in pieces

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A bizarre incident left hundreds of families in midtown Kansas City without power early Wednesday morning as temperatures dropped below zero.

According to Kansas City Power and Light workers, a transformer at East 31st and Troost Avenue blew up. The explosion caused a steel plate manhole cover to burst into pieces and shoot up into the air.

Crews were only able to salvage less than a quarter of the manhole cover.

Thankfully no one was injured. The manhole sits in the middle of a traffic lane.

The chief operation officer at Operation Breakthrough, which was impacted by the outage, told FOX4 they will likely save the remaining piece and put it in their archives.

Linemen from KCP&L worked for about an hour before power was restored.

Genemat designed and manufactured bespoke composite covers to fit directly into the existing frames making installation quick and easy. Genemat covers are anti-corrosion; lightweight and securable, and can be safely removed and replaced by two people using lifting handle.Genemat covers have been engineered to provide a safe walking and driving surface, tested to be equivalent to a modern high-grade road surface. The customer opted for covers in a custom color to complement the surrounding area.

The city road now has a long-term solution that requires minimal maintenance and will continue to perform year after year, allowing safe and fast authorised access whilst eliminating previous manual handling issues and providing a safe walking and driving surface for users in all weather conditions.