​Reported Vault Explosion Darkens Area of Duarte

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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DUARTE - A vault explosion has forced a large portion of Mountain Avenue to be closed to traffic Saturday.

Deputies with the Sheriff’s Temple Station and the Monrovia Police Department are redirecting traffic. Mountain Avenue is closed from Evergreen Street to East Duarte Road.

Firefighters were dispatched to 1600 S. Mountain Ave., at 8:45 p.m. to a vault explosion. SoCal Edison is on scene, according to Dispatch Supervisor Miguel Ornelas of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

Originally, 2,923 customers were without power in Duarte, Bradbury and Monrovia. Power was partially restored at 9:34 p.m., according to SoCal Edison Spokeswoman Mary Ann Milbourn.

1,088 customers remain the the dark.

It was unclear how many other streets might be blocked to traffic.

Deputies report receiving multiple calls of explosions nearby, including as far as City of Hope.

An estimated time for repair is unknown, Milbourn said.

Milbourn advised customers to never use candles during a power outage and instead use flashlights.