An underground electrical vault exploded late this afternoon in Brea, knocking out power during the rush hour period on Imperial Highway, but no one was hurt.
The vault exploded near the movie theaters at Brea Plaza and the Mercury Insurance office complex on Imperial Highway about 4:40 p.m., said Brea police Sgt. Jim Griffin.
The explosion knocked out traffic signals, backing up traffic near the off-ramp at the Orange (57) Freeway and Imperial Highway, Griffin said.
Southern California Edison officials were not immediately available, so it was unclear how many customers were affected.
