Steam Pipe Explosion Shuts Down NYC Midtown Rush Hour

A steam pipe explosion blew up the street at 41 Street and Lexington Avenue at about 6:00 PM Wednesday. Twelve people were discovered to have been injured as a result of the steam and rocks flying out of the ground. The Chrysler building could be seen a short distance from the scene. Rocks, brown mud and steam spewed out of the ground from a hole that took up one third of the street. It looked like a volcano.

People ran from the scene not knowing what had happened yesterday, running for their safety. One man on the 27th floor of a building at the moment that it occurred reported that rocks actually flew into the window. He and his colleagues exited the floor via an elevator. Those who were close to the explosion had mud splashed clothing and muddy shoes. The situation caused panic. A woman who was crossing the street at the very moment, one of 12 victims, lost all of her belongings as the street blew open right in front of her. Another woman lost her shoes as she ran and a man reported jumping over people and losing his just purchesed meal as he ran. The ground and surrounding buildings shook and a loud rumbling could be heard like being right next to a plane taking off.

The injured were laid in the street for a time waiting for assistance. Eventually Lenox Hill ambulances came and carried the injured to Bellevue Hospital. Some folks called home by cell phone to let their family know they were ok. The number 5 and number 7 train services were disrupted. Reports stated that if people could make it to Grand Central Station that the Metro North was still in operation. To get there only one certain hard to reach entrance was available.

It was confirmed that the explosion was not a terrorist attack. Fear of capping the explosion area and causing it to flow elsewhere in a back up causing additional damage was noted. Con Edison waited a while before capping off the steam pipes. Con Edison appeared to have the situation partially under control as the steam turned white but still spouted mud. A four alarm fire was reported to have begun nearby as a result of the initial explosion as well. Con Edison and firemen were on the scene. Some were wearing masks and some were not wearing masks to protect their lungs. Initial reports were that the steam smelled like sulfur.

The Grand Central area was completely shut down. Paul Brown, the NYPD Deputy Commissioner noted that helicopters were dispatched within 10 minutes. Three were police helicopters and one was a fire department helicopter. Their efforts were coordinated. They generated live video feeds. They saw a 100 foot large plume out of which the Street at 41 Street and Lexington Avenue that spewed steam and rocks. Brown assured the public that terrorism was not a factor.

The structural integrity of the buildings as well as the structural integrity of the streets surrounding the area was a major concern at the time. The steam was eventually shut down and the scene was described as a large crater. While it spewed it was described as looking like a geyser. The general public was pushed back past 3^rd Avenue. This was the busiest section of Manhattan at the height of Rush hour. Large areas were closed down to traffic and pedestrians at the time.

Those who had gotten mud on their clothing were being told to discard their clothing and to shower. There was a great concern that the older buildings may have had asbestos. There was a red tow truck in the middle of the hole that took up about three lanes of road on Lexington Avenue where the incident occurred. Steam was still spewing out at a distance. Millions of gallons of water are reported to flow through these pipes. The entire area was evacuated.