Temecula Underground Electrical Explosion Draws Emergency Response

TEMECULA, CA —An explosion rocked a Temecula neighborhood Wednesday afternoon, centered in an underground electrical vault, according to Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Nicolas Road was closed at Calle Medusa and Joseph Road during the incident.

At around 3 p.m., Cal Fire/Riverside County Firefighters arrived at the scene at Nicolas Road and Calle Medusa, where puffs of smoke were rising from an electrical manhole, spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa said.

Southern California Edison was called to mitigate the damage caused by that electrical incident. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department Southwest Station deputies initiated a full road closure of Nicolas Road from Joseph Road to Calle Medusa while SCE operators worked to resolve that situation.

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, witnesses saw "smoke lifting from cracks in the asphalt from the underground electrical vault. "

Cal Fire firefighters waited until Southern California Edison workers arrived, and deputies remained to divert traffic.

"We ask that drivers plan alternate routes and exercise caution in the surrounding areas," a Southwest Station spokesperson said over social media. "Thank you for your cooperation and understanding as we work to ensure safety and restore service."

No one was evacuated from the area, no injuries were reported, and the extent of the electrical damage was not immediately known.