Underground fire in downtown Madison Sunday led to power outage, street closures

MADISON, Wis. (WMDX) – An unusual underground fire left hundreds without power in downtown Madison Sunday. 

According to the Madison Fire Department, people started calling authorities at about 3:15 Sunday afternoon. Callers reported that manhole covers had been blown off, and some had black smoke coming from them. 

The fire originated underground in the 300 block of West Washington Avenue. Power was shut off for people at hundreds of residences. Streets were close from West Washington Avenue to West Mifflin Street, and in the Henry Street area. 

Staff at Capitol Centre Market told Civic Media’s Chali Pittman they had been evacuated. She said the area was teeming with firefighters and workers from Madison Gas & Electric. 

A spokesperson from the Madison Fire Department said “all hazards [had] been controlled” by 6:50 Sunday evening.