Rhode Island Governor Wants Old Power Lines To Be Removed After Mystery Beach Blast

Governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo, wants the Coast Guard to remove abandoned power cables near state beaches after a corroded copper cable was likely the cause of an explosion that injured a beachgoer back in July.

According to WCVB 5, scientists determined that the explosion on July 11 at Salty Brine Beach in Narragansett was most likely caused by the combustion of hydrogen that had built up around the cable.

The cable was installed underneath the sand back in the 1950's. Before it was disconnected and abandoned, the cable powered navigational lights. A newer type of cable was installed in the 1980's.

Both cables have been removed from under the beach, but there is still cables that remain under the water beyond the low tide line.

Raimondo’s request is currently being reviewed by the Coast Guard.

With additional reporting by Sal Lopez