Rats sparked underground blast in West Philly

Rats chewing on an electrical cable triggered an explosion that blew off a half dozen manhole covers on Market Street in West Philadelphia, officials says.

No one was injured in the blast about 10:35 p.m. but at least three cars were damaged by the heavy metal manhole covers on the 5600 block of Market Street.

The chewing rats caused a short on a cable that feeds power to SEPTA's Market-Frankford Elevated line and that in turn ignited a buildup of gas in the underground utility tunnel, officials said.

The explosion disrupted service on the line and forced a closure on a section of Market Street. The street reopened and El service resumed before this morning's rush hour.