What caused the downtown Tallahassee explosions? City issues answer
By Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat USA Today Network via Reuters Connect
Updated October 9, 2026 7:55 PM
Photo shows street damage and fire coming out of manhole in downtown Tallahassee, early on Oct. 6, 2026 USA TODAY Network, Reuters
Three days after an underground electrical fire set off explosions that blew out manhole covers and ripped up the roadway on Monroe Street, the city issued a fuller explanation of what happened in an evening email to commissioners Friday.
Tony Guillen, general manager of the city of Tallahassee’s Electric & Gas Utility, said in the Oct. 9 email that the incident began from a fault in the underground cabling under Calhoun Street, which runs behind the Leon County Courthouse.
“As a result, fire and smoke could be seen coming from manholes, Guillen said in the email to City Manager Karen Jumonville. “Early indicators suggest that combustible gases generated by burning electrical cable insulation built up and caused the explosion and significant roadway damage on Monroe St.”
Tallahassee firefighters discovered the damage after a fire alarm went off around 5:15 a.m. at the courthouse. Crews found several fires in nearby roads and heavy road damage in two locations on Monroe between Apalachee Parkway and Jefferson Street.
Dramatic traffic camera video that surfaced on Facebook showed several cars in nearby lanes as two portions of Monroe Street between the Capitol and the courthouse blew up. Though the video was seen by hundreds of thousands and aired on national news, the city said it could not authenticate the video.
The explosions sent chunks of pavement and heavy manhole covers flying into the air and back onto the ground.
Astonishingly, no one was injured or killed, something local officials chalked up to the pre-rush-hour timing.
Guillen said a possible link was found between the explosions and Florida Department of Transportation resurfacing work.
“Notably, this portion of Monroe St. was undergoing an FDOT resurfacing project and the manholes had been temporarily sealed, potentially exacerbating the build-up of the combustible gases,” he said in the email. “Natural gas was ruled out as a contributing factor.”
He said the downtown network’s redundant design “maintained electric service despite the damage to the primary cable during the incident. To restore the network’s redundancy, crews will replace the damaged cable overnight on Monday.”
Guillen said the city has engaged an independent engineering firm to conduct further research, validate findings and evaluate contributing factors.
“Findings will also be utilized to ensure alignment of current plans designed to ensure the long-term reliability of the City’s electrical network,” he wrote.
Contact Jeff Burlew at jburlew@tallahassee.com or 850-599-2180.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What caused the downtown Tallahassee explosions? City issues answer
Reporting by Jeff Burlew, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat