While there are still more questions than answers, the City of Tallahassee provided the most expansive update to date on the underground fires and manhole explosions that rocked downtown. Here it is in total.
This morning, Oct. 6, around 5:15 a.m., the Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) responded to a fire alarm at the Leon County Courthouse. Crews quickly arrived on scene and found several fires in the roadways and visible damage that caused traffic impacts near Monroe Street, Apalachee Parkway and Calhoun Street. While there were early reports of a possible gas leak, which was quickly ruled out by TFD, the incident was determined to have been related to an underground electrical fire.
The bulk of the impacts occurred on Monroe Street between Jefferson Street and Apalachee Parkway in the area of a paving project being facilitated by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Monroe Street remains closed in the area, with the northbound lanes expected to reopen by early afternoon. Motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible. Delays downtown should be expected all day.
Underground fire causes explosions, traffic delays in Tallahassee
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Photos show street damage and fire coming out of manhole in downtown Tallahassee, early on Oct. 6, 2026 (Provided by Ace Pedroso)
TFD, the Tallahassee Police Department, City of Tallahassee Electric & Gas Utility, City of Tallahassee Underground Utilities & Public Infrastructure department, Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Capitol Police and FDOT coordinated the early morning response, remain on scene and will continue to work throughout the day.
A planned electric service outage was implemented in the downtown area to allow electric crews to safely assess and make repairs. This is impacting traffic signals and area buildings, and generators have been installed to assist at key intersections. Intersections with non-operational traffic signals should be treated as four-way stops.
All fires have been extinguished. The exact cause of the underground electrical fire is still under investigation.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: City of Tallahassee offers update after ‘several fires’ rock downtown