Electrical Vault Explosion, Repairs Remain Underway In North Temecula, Nicolas Road Closed

TEMECULA, CA—Repairs to an exploded Southern California Edison electrical vault continued into Thursday in a North Temecula neighborhood. According to a Southern California Edison spokesperson, roads remained closed to through traffic amid extensive repairs.

According to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Southwest Sheriff's Station, Nicolas Road would remain closed between Calle Medusa and Joseph Road through Thursday and likely into Friday morning.

"We ask that drivers plan alternate routes and exercise caution in the surrounding areas as we work to ensure safety and restore service," a RivCo Sheriff's spokesperson said over social media.

Shortly before 2 p.m. Wednesday, a Southern California Edison underground cement vault exploded for unclear reasons. According to SCE spokesperson Jeff Monford, the restoration to power in the neighborhood took place in under three hours, as the utility rerouted power through switches in the power grid, he said.

The work on the electrical vault is ongoing, and no immediate repair estimate was given.

"We remain focused on repairs," Monford said. No injuries were reported from the incident.

As of 10:30 a.m, Thursday, road closures remain in place on Nicolas Road, between Calle Medusa and Joseph Road, according to the Southwest Station deputies.

"It may take up to 24 hours to reopen," they said. "We apologize for the inconvenience. Stay safe, Temecula."

According to Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, witnesses saw "smoke lifting from cracks in the asphalt from the underground electrical vault" when the explosion occurred.