Underground utility fire breaks out in Crystal City, causing loud ‘boom’

ARLINGTON, Va. ( DC News Now ) — The Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) said a utility fire broke out underground in Crystal City Tuesday afternoon.

The department said that at about 1 p.m., crews from ACFD , Alexandria Fire and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Fire and Rescue (MWAA) responded to a loud noise, described as “a large boom,” in front of 2450 Crystal Dr.

First responders then found an underground power vault with smoke and fire, according to ACFD. Crews said Dominion Energy assisted in controlling the incident.

People reported feeling and hearing the boom from several blocks away. Derrionne Smith was working at Buffalo Wild Wings nearby when it all happened.

“The explosion happened next door to us. All of our screens went out, the power went out. It was a really big shock. It all happened so fast. Everybody evacuated,” Smith said.

Power flickered off and on in several buildings nearby.

In an update made at 3:12 p.m., the fire was out, and no injuries were reported. Dominion Energy crews cleared the scene around 5 p.m.

Crystal Drive has since reopened to traffic.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.