Mysterious 'booms' continue with puzzling regularity in Richmond


From NBC12 News
Friday, November 19, 2004





Those mysterious booms on Richmond's Northside continue to be-fuddle city officials. They've been happening for three weeks now and residents say no one can tell them why.

The latest “boom” was just last night. Based on a map of 911 calls received since the booming noises began, the majority came from the area near Palmyra and Gloucester.

For three weeks, city officials have explored a multitude of scenarios. They've come up empty and still the booms and shakes continue. Officials have looked into every logical explanation: a buildup of sewer or natural gas -- both of which have been ruled out for now.

As well as other possibilities: including furnaces blowing up (that would be a one time occurrence), weather patterns like thunder, not likely says the city, construction, trains colliding, sonic booms -- all a no go.

City officials won't admit they're stumped, but they're certainly frustrated.

“It's certainly disruptive and disconcerting when it happens. But I think people understand it's not a public safety issue at this point," says city spokesman Bill Farrar.

Another possibility is someone playing pranks. Solving the mystery of these "booms" has now become a full-fledged investigation -- involving the fire department as well as emergency management services on both the city and state level.
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