Worker hospitalized after electrical vault explodes in Newport

One person was hospitalized Monday after an electrical vault exploded and sent flames shooting into the air in Newport Beach, according to police.

A worker was inside the vault in the 3400 block of Via Lido when it exploded around 3 p.m., police Lt. Jeff Brouwer said.

The Newport Beach Fire Department cordoned off the area and evacuated nearby businesses, according to police. Firefighters saw flames up to 10 feet high shooting from the vault, police said.

Southern California Edison shut down power in the area within 20 minutes, according to police.

Paramedics took the injured worker to a trauma center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, Brouwer said.

Another person was treated at the scene for minor burns and was not taken to the hospital, Brouwer said.

Power was restored by Tuesday morning, according to Edison’s website.