Manhole Explosion Rocks Downtown Albany

There are few details yet, but it appears there has been one, maybe two manhole explosions in Albany. According to News 10, National Grid and emergency crews are on the scene. The crews seem to be mostly checking out the situation around Maiden Lane, Broadway, and James and Pine Streets.

The blast was described by witnesses as a similar manhole cover explosion that happened near Washington Square back in February that left Smoke rising from a manhole near the corner of State Street and Henry Johnson Boulevard.

There are reports that some businesses have closed for the day because of the explosion. There's one, unconfirmed report that there may be an underground fire.

Cider Belly Donuts is reporting a gas leak and they are shutting down their downtown Albany location.

These pictures were taken at the corner of N. Pearl and Maiden Lane by Big_Duke6 on Reddit.

We'll update this story as soon as more details become available.