Mayor's Office: East Side Explosion Not Terrorism
POSTED: 6:14 pm EDT July 18, 2007
UPDATED: 7:01 pm EDT July 18, 2007
NEW YORK -- Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a steam pipe explosion in Manhattan on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, police said.
<LI>Images: Midtown Blast
Several blocks were evacuated. The explosion occurred at 43rd Street and Lexington Avenue, blocks away from Grand Central Station and the Chrysler building.
At least two people were injured, according to preliminary report. A massive cloud of smoke rose above the scene as dozens of people in the surrounding streets looked on.
The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD has officially ruled out terrorism.
Live video from the ground showed a huge hole in the street.
Subway service on the 4, 5 and 6 trains is bypassing Grand Central/42nd Street station in both directions. MTA warns customers to expect uptown and downtown delays on the 4, 5 and 6 trains. There is no S train service on the entire line.
Consolidated Edison said there was an operational problem the area and crews were responding, but had no more immediate information.
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.http://www.wnbc.com/news/13708385/de...l?dl=mainclick
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