Transformer explosion rattles Manhattan

Maverick · Jul 19, 2007

Wow, these pictures will bring bad memories back -sweat

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Transformer explosion rattles Manhattan

NEW YORK (CNN) -- One person died and 26 were injured after a steam pipe burst in midtown Manhattan Wednesday, causing a transformer to explode and sending thick plumes of steam and ash into the air near Grand Central Terminal, New York officials said.
The New York Fire Department said three firefighters and one police officer were treated on scene for minor injuries. The other 22 injured were transported to various hospitals, a fire department spokesman said.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the person who died suffered from cardiac arrest.
The New York Fire Department said it received a call reporting an explosion at 5:56 p.m. More than 170 firefighters were dispatched to the site at Lexington Avenue near 41st Street. Map »
Hundreds of people fled as dozens of police, fire and utility workers arrived. Officials said the explosion was not related to terrorism.
Carol Bergendale, who witnessed the blast, told WABC that people immediately feared a terror attack. She said there was a loud noise that lasted more than 10 minutes, and people started driving in the wrong direction to get away.
Former CNN reporter Adaora Udoji, now with CourtTV, said the scene at the time of the blast was "pandemonium." Watch steam billow up through the street »
"It felt like an earthquake. We saw hundreds and hundreds of people running down Third Avenue," she said. "They were screaming, they were crying."
Udoji said the blast left a crater "many dozens of feet wide," comparing it to the craters she saw after bombings during a stint in Iraq. She also said a "hissing noise" could be heard for blocks. Blast leaves massive crater »
The emergency response was "instantaneous," she said -- within about 20 minutes the entire area was locked down.
Video from the scene showed steam and mud spewing from underground and a small school bus with its windows and a door blown out.
New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, speaking to CNN, said the explosion was "major."
"The ground was literally shaking under your feet," he said.
The area around the site was "frozen" because the explosion may have released asbestos in the air, Bloomberg said.
Power company ConEdison was checking the area for any asbestos and expected to have test results in Wednesday night.
Andrew Troisi of the New York Office of Emergency Management said people in the area who do not need to be there should leave.
"This is a rescue operation. We have not begun to really detail the possible contaminants in the area, but there's a very good chance that hazardous materials are in the air," he said. "Let's not take any chances."
The pipe that exploded was installed in 1924 and there is speculation that "there was cold water getting into the pipe, and cold water apparently causes these to explode," Bloomberg said.
"It might have been bursts of cold water from the rain or because of another water main break," he said.
ConEdison crews inspected the pipes earlier in the day for vapor conditions and found nothing wrong, company Chairman Kevin Burke said.
ConEdison provides steam power to about 1,800 commercial and residential customers in Manhattan from the Battery to 96th Street, according to the utility's Web site. Steam sales account for less than 10 percent of ConEdison's sales.
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yakima · Jul 19, 2007

was watching this last night before bed, Think the camera was from the other side with the school bus infront of the hole, It just looks like something out of a movie, Scary

zero_c · Jul 19, 2007

I was close by when this happen. But I knew people were working on the side street and when I heard the explosion, I knew it was something to do with the pipes bursting. A lot of the news channel were trying to grab people who thought it was a terrorist attack to go in front of the camera.

Maverick · Jul 19, 2007

This means that it can happen again anytime in NYC!!!
Just too scary, since I witness the London Bombings.

zero_c · Jul 19, 2007

^ Yea sometimes I feel like the news are purposely trying to scare everyone.

khaotic · Jul 19, 2007

At least it wasn't a terrorist attack.

ab289 · Jul 19, 2007

that's a lot of steam; so i suppose it's not toxic.

wind2000 · Jul 19, 2007

Poor people... must have been another frightful day for them.-ohmy

xmichelly · Jul 19, 2007

Even though it wasn't a terrorist attack, it must've been horrible to be reminded of such a thing.

I remember I didn't want to watch Armageddon because it reminded me of 911 -down

asiangang · Jul 19, 2007

whao...crazy stuff...luckily it wasnt a terrorist attack...

lammy29 · Jul 20, 2007

im still waitin for this to drop in the uk!!! it release on 27th!!! been tempted to d/l but ima wait....................

Transformer explosion rattles Manhattan

Maverick Lord Vader

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Maverick Lord Vader

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