By Darren Boyle The number of manhole covers exploding has dramatically increased according to new figures released by the Health and Safety Executive. Experts believe the fireballs are caused by power surges in underground electric junction boxes which could have been damaged by last winter's record rainfall. So far this year, the HSE has received 64 reports of exploding or burning manhole covers - compared with 51 for the whole of 2013. There were just nine in 2011. Scroll down for video The fire, which was outside the BAFTA headquarters in Piccadilly, London destroyed a van after the manhole cover exploded
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London Fire Brigade warns that one manhole cover is exploding a week
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The massive blasts are caused by defective underground power cables
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Experts believe that last winter's record flooding has led to the increase
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The Health and Safety Executive has received reports of 64 incidents in 2014
The @placeholder has attended one fire a week involving manhole covers this year.'