One hurt in San Fran 'electrical fault' blast

An explosion shook buildings in central San Francisco today after a manhole cover exploded in the street.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from office buildings stretching several blocks in each direction.

One person was seriously injured in the blast, believed to have been caused by an electrical fault.

“There was a manhole explosion but the area was immediately evacuated and as far as we’re aware there was one serious injury,” a San Francisco Fire Department spokeswoman said.

She said the explosion appeared to be connected to California utility company Pacific, Gas and Electric.

Witness James Brown told local television station KCBS that a “big ball of fire” shot out of the side of a Ralph Lauren shop shortly after 9.30am local time.

“There were four or five people walking by right when the flames came out and covered them,” he said.

Most escaped but he said one woman’s hair was singed and her face bloodied.

The windows of the Ralph Lauren store on the corner were reportedly blown out by the blast.

The area remained sealed off but the fire department said they did not expect any further incidents.