Ventura Boulevard Rocked by Electrical Explosion

An underground explosion shook Ventura Boulevard in Encino Friday afternoon, as an electrical transformer under the street exploded, according to the LAPD.

Sargeant Jason Zabel, who was at the scene, told Patch that one of the electrical transformers under Ventura Boulevard had exploded, "maybe because of the heat. They [the DWP] suspected that the air couldn't ventilate and something caused the boxes to explode."

An employee at the on Ventura and Woodley, who did not wish her name to be published, told Patch that she heard two explosions and that it sounded "like a bomb" going off. She also said that "cops with guns" arrived quickly at the scene.

Ventura Blvd. was completely closed between Gloria and Hayvenhurst for much of the afternoon; LAPD officers were directing through traffic to cross at Gloria, but traffic could not go along Ventura in either direction.

The LAPD had advised the public to avoid the area until Ventura was reopened.