Smoking manhole shuts down R Street NW

A smoking manhole drew Pepco crews to the 1500 block of R St. NW Monday, shutting down a major exit route from downtown during the evening rush hour.

"It's going to take them several hours more to get it fixed," said John Lisle, a spokesman for the D.C. Department of Transportation, as darkness fell and thousands of drivers tried to find alternate routes home. "I believe they have to replace a cable."

Pepco reported that fewer than five customers were without power as a result.

-- Ashley Halsey III