An underground electrical fire was creating some traffic in and around SoMa Tuesday afternoon, so be warned.
A fire in an underground PG&E vault sent smoke into the vicinity at the intersection of Third and Mission streets Tuesday. The San Francisco Fire Department tweeted about the incident just after 1 pm and said that PG&E was on the scene.
The SFFD warned that motorists may be re-rerouted until the situation is under control.
3rd and Mission streets are closed as SFFD and @PGE4Me address an underground vault fire.
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) February 6, 2024
The intersection will remain closed, unknown ETA to reopen. Seek alternate routes. https://t.co/pasIZX2Mt7 pic.twitter.com/LMAQHEtDJs
A similar vault fire occurred last July in Pacific Heights, and other explosions in these vaults have also occurred in recent years — like this one near Union Square in May 2017, and this one in the Financial District in 2016.
PG&E rarely comments on these situations, despite the fact that they are disturbing! This vault fire, at least, does not appear to have caused any nearby property damage.
The illustration from PG&E below explains what's inside these underground vaults, which are all over the city.
Previously: Underground Vault Explosion Causes Property Damage In Pacific Heights
