Underground explosion in Indianapolis under investigation

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- An underground explosion at a busy Indianapolis intersection has disrupted traffic and businesses downtown.

Firefighters and utility crews were on the scene and power was cut for several blocks as a series of blasts sent several manhole covers into the air Thursday morning.

The incident follows a similar underground explosion Monday night on Massachusetts Avenue in the city's downtown business district. That blast was traced to an underground electrical vault.

An Indianapolis Power & Light spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

More than a dozen similar incidents have occurred in Indianapolis over the last decade. In 2011, IPL blamed electrical shorts for a half-dozen explosions.

After those blasts, the utility installed about 100 new manhole covers designed to reduce damage from underground explosions and fires.