Calgary police are warning the public to avoid a portion of downtown after an underground electrical fire reportedly caused a manhole to explode on Saturday evening.

The incident took place around 8:20 p.m. MT and several residents nearby reported hearing a loud boom after smoke began pouring from a manhole at Eighth Street and Fifth Avenue S.W.

Police say the cause of the incident was a fire at the underground traffic light controls.

Fire crews are on the scene to get the fire under control.

The public is being advised to avoid the area of Eighth Street S.W. from Fourth Avenue to Ninth Avenue until further notice.

