Midtown subway steam explosion... *Pictures and Video Added

[flyboy 28]

Careful if you're out that way...

http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/Home ... geId=1.1.1

NEW YORK (AP) -- Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, officials said.

The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD said it does not appear to be terrorism-related.

A large column of gray smoke poured from the vicinity of a building near Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, and the air near the site was filled with ash.

Thousands of commuters evacuated the train terminal, some at a run, after workers yelled for people to get out of the building.

Witnesses reported that their buildings shook.

The MTA says due to this police investigation, 4, 5 and 6 trains are bypassing Grand Central-42nd Street Station in both directions at this time. Also, there is no S train service the entire line.

Please expect delays in service on the 4, 5, and 6 trains at this time.

Also, due to a water condition as a result of this morning's thunderstorm, E, F, R and V service have resumed, with residual delays.

[Midnight Mike]

Explosion reported in Manhattan
Incident not terrorism-related, officials say; 2 people reportedly injured

July 18, 2007
NEW YORK - Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a suspected manhole explosion in Manhattan on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, officials said. It was not terrorism-related, the officials said.

Smoke was seen billowing above the east side of Manhattan, and several blocks were evacuated.

Two people were injured in the four-alarm incident near Grand Central Station, and several nearby buildings were evacuated, according to NBC News.

[Matt Molnar]

Ash is raining down in the area. I suspect it's a volcano.


(ABC photo)

[USAF Pilot 07]

Not the subway... Seems to be a steam pipe... I was just on-scene, the area is a mess, a complete zoo... Never seen anything like this at all, besides 9/11... There is a huge crater on Lexington Ave, and I've never seen steam shoot out of something so quickly. You could hear the steam billowing out of the hole all the way from 33rd Street and Lex... There's a school bus directly adjacent to the whole, hopefully no children were in there or hurt. I took some pics and vids, I will post them later...

[Matt Molnar]

Can't wait to see them, Clark. With the trains in Queens a total nightmare today I'm waiting out rush hour at the office so I was tempted to head down there, but now you've saved me the trouble. :)

[hiss srq]

There is a friggin TOW TRUCK totally inside the middle of the hole. A TOW TRUCK!!!!!

[emshighway]

Up to 12 injured at this time. Reported as steam pressure related not an explosive device.

For those who may not know Con Ed supplies steam in Manhattan. As you can see from the many video feeds the pressure is considerable to get the steam up to the top floors of the skyscrapers.

A dozen years ago there was a similar explosion on East 51st Street. After that event the whole neighborhood needed to be decontaminated for asbestos. Con Ed has been abating the steam pipes but there is a possibility this area has not been abated.

[stuart schechter]

Well I hope nobody was hurt or got asbestos in their lungs!

Edit: In the process of writing this people got hurt. Get Better!

[Matt Molnar]

1 dead, 17 injured according to ABC. :(

Insane video of the steam shooting out...amazing more people weren't injured or killed: SImhkapRuIs

[hiss srq]

Who is the unfortuenate fatality? Tow truck driver?

[Matt Molnar]

Bloomberg:
--24 inch steam pipe was installed in 1924
--Burst possibly caused by cold rain water getting onto it
--One person died of cardiac arrest
--20 civilians, 4 firefighters injured, some serious injuries, some minor
--Verizon service disrupted in neighborhood, electrical and gas service unharmed
--Asbestos possibly involved, testing underway

[AirtrafficController]

Wrong place at the wrong time. Sad to hear

[emshighway]

By the way, everyone dies from cardiac arrest. It's what leads up to cardiac arrest that kills you.

[AirtrafficController]

Wow looking at the footage when the the news crews got there is crazy. A huge 1 1/2 lane hole blowing out hot steam with evacuated MTA buses and taxis.

[Matt Molnar]

Excellent point, EMS. Unless it was a guy 2 blocks away who freaked out and had a heart attack, injuries from steam pipes are quite horrific.