Part Two: Clean-up of New York City Midtown Explosion Frozen Zone

The cleaning operations of the area surrounding the July 18 explosion at 41^st Street and Lexington Avenue have been completed, according to televised news reports in New York on local television stations. The actual area of the explosion was saved for last. Inspection of the affected buildings is next on the list and safety first is the highest priority. The city agencies want to get people back into their businesses. So far, no estimate of the total costs can be made until Con Edison determines more information that would be found under the red pickup truck.

There is no timeline yet, however, potentially more will be known when the area is more carefully examined. There are other utilities involved as well, and this is a large area. Analysis of the entire situation once the truck has been moved will result in conclusions and a determination of the cause. Only then will the authorities be able to reflect on past practices and determine if any changes need to be made in how things have been done operating the systems up to now. The inspections and clean up are moving as fast as possible with safety in mind, according to Mayor Bloomberg during his most recent update on Friday.

The first step was to remove the vehicle, then next to see that large debris was removed and finally to get trained personnel in to assess the total damage and scope of repair needed. There were high voltage feeder cables still in crater and Con Edison did not want to cause more damage while moving vehicle. A flat bed truck was brought in around 9:00 AM on Saturday, and soon after a crane was brought in as well both to remove the red truck from the crater now at 41st Street and Lexington Avenue created by the explosion.

Greg, the driver of the red tow truck, is still in the hospital with burns over 80% of his body. This young man, who is only 23 years old, is a White Belt in Martial Arts from Brooklyn. His family reported that he has been in a medically induced coma since the explosion occurred, according to televised news reports in New York on local television stations.

Applications for reimbursements to businesses for clean up and damages are being made available at two locations where business owners as well as people with soiled clothing in sealed plastic bags can fill out forms. The drop off points are actually Con Edison Trucks stationed at the designated areas.

Con Edison is in contact with area businesses and will supplement them with zero interest loans of up to $10,000. Con Edison plans to send representatives who will go door to door from store to store. There are about 125 retail businesses in the affected area. 125 eetail stores are closed. In addition to loans being offered by Con Edison, the city is offering similar loans as well. Businesses say that they are losing millions of dollars. The largest business in the area is Pfeiser. Lawsuits against Con Edison are very likely coming from the big businesses. There are over 100 businesses large and small.

Thousands of victims have not been able to get into their homes and businesses. Open businesses say they are hurting. One business, a hairdresser said that his business is very bad. He is located one block from the Frozen Zone. Other businesses have not been allowed to open or go inside past several days. One store owner said, "the Landlord wants money, he doesn't care we blew up". Hundreds of millions will be lost by businesses in the Midtown area surrounding the Frozen Zone, according to televised news reports in New York on local television stations.

The New York City underground steam system is said to have been reliable and is said to have a good maintenance program with inspection and replacements. According to Con Edison, nothing done that has been identified in the months preceding the explosion in July other than normal for an underground steam system.