In 1981, sewer explosion launched manhole covers, devastated roads in Louisville

In 1981, sewer explosion launched manhole covers, devastated roads in Louisville
Well, I was driving through here and all of a sudden I saw a white flesh and then all of a sudden road just buckled everywhere. Manhole covers were falling. It was wild. Yeah, mm hmm. Well, I'm going to do about my dog. I can't leave that. And there's not anyone wants a dog. Right. I really I don't know. Maybe these people can help you work something out. Maybe they can set it up so that you can come back in during the day and feed and water the dog and you know, take care of the things that you have to take care of you. I mean I just have to be out at night time. Well, you really shouldn't be living in the house. If you have to visit it. They can help you work that out, but you shouldn't be living in the house. I had a lot of work to do on this house and still ain't got it done. It's gonna take me quite a while yet. So it's been pretty bad.
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In 1981, sewer explosion launched manhole covers, devastated roads in Louisville
"The day the sewers blew up." That's how many remember what happened in Louisville in 1981.It was early on Feb. 13 when an explosion severely damaged a three-mile stretch of Hill Street in a matter of seconds.The images from that day are burned into the hearts and minds of many in the city. Crumbled pavement, gaping holes. Evacuations and fear.The blast was caused by hexane gas that leaked into the sewer system from the nearby Ralston Purina Plant.A low muffler on a car hit a manhole cover -- and that sparked the explosion.No one was killed in the blast, but repairing the damage cost millions of dollars.Watch coverage from the event in the player above.This story is from the WLKY archives. From time to time, we'll share videos spotlighting some of the most impactful, emotional and entertaining storytelling from our decades in the community.Here's another video:

"The day the sewers blew up." That's how many remember what happened in Louisville in 1981.

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It was early on Feb. 13 when an explosion severely damaged a three-mile stretch of Hill Street in a matter of seconds.

The images from that day are burned into the hearts and minds of many in the city. Crumbled pavement, gaping holes. Evacuations and fear.

The blast was caused by hexane gas that leaked into the sewer system from the nearby Ralston Purina Plant.

A low muffler on a car hit a manhole cover -- and that sparked the explosion.

No one was killed in the blast, but repairing the damage cost millions of dollars.

Watch coverage from the event in the player above.

This story is from the WLKY archives. From time to time, we'll share videos spotlighting some of the most impactful, emotional and entertaining storytelling from our decades in the community.

Here's another video: