Heart-Stopping Video Shows Grandmother, Children Avoid Manhole Explosion
By iHeartRadio
April 22, 2025
A dramatic video captured the moment a grandmother and her two grandchildren narrowly escaped a manhole explosion in Poughkeepsie, New York, on Sunday (April 20). Lisa Davis was walking with her grandchildren after an Easter egg hunt when the incident occurred. Just seconds after they walked over the manhole, it exploded, sending debris and concrete into the air.
Davis, recounting the harrowing experience, told WABC, "I was like, 'Oh my God,' I didn't know where to go." She quickly grabbed her grandson and ran, narrowly avoiding the blast. The explosion was part of a chain reaction that saw three manholes erupt in the area.
The Poughkeepsie Fire Department responded swiftly, finding high levels of gas in the craters left by the explosions. All buildings on the block were evacuated until gas levels were reduced. A spokesperson for Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. stated that the explosion resulted from an electrical fault on an underground cable, not related to the natural gas distribution system.
Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident. Davis expressed her shock after seeing the footage, realizing how close her family came to danger. Her grandson, however, seemed less fazed, saying, "I'm kind of scared, but I wasn't that scared."
The Poughkeepsie Fire Department released a video showing Davis walking over the manhole seconds before it exploded.
At 13:34 this afternoon units were dispatched to Academy St. between Church St. and Cannon St. for the report of a manhole explosion, and possibly people injured. A manhole halfway down the block as well as another on the corner of Academy and Church Streets had also exploded very narrowly missing three pedestrians. Thankfully no injuries were reported. Companies found high levels of carbon monoxide in multiple buildings and the occupants of all the buildings on that block were evacuated until the gas levels could be mitigated. All units were clear by 15:48, and the scene was turned over to Central Hudson. They will be on scene there for a while, and Academy St. will remain closed for a number of hours. More pictures and video in the comments.
Posted by City of Poughkeepsie Fire Department NY Local 596 on Saturday, April 19, 2025