More details are coming out about a series of explosions that shook downtown Saskatoon on Monday afternoon.

According to the Saskatoon fire department, the noises likely came from arcing electricity underground after water caused a system to short.

"There's a large electrical field going underneath the sidewalk and that's where it originated," said Rob Reynolds, with the fire department.

The short, which was caused by a collapsed storm sewer pipe underneath a catch basin that flooded a transformer vault, created a widespread power outage downtown.

Power was finally restored to most people by around 8:00 p.m. Monday, after causing delays to the annual Silver Spoon dinner at TCU place.

Saskatoon Light and Power says the pump appeared to be working, but couldn't discharge the water since the catch basin was not functioning properly.

ckomnews@rawlco.com