A loud explosion occurred when a steam pipe exploded in a Manhattan street on Wednesday, July 18, leaving one person dead and as many as 20 injured. The incident happened in the evening, at rush hour and left Manhattan midtown region covered with steam, mud and rocks. The incident happened around 1800 (2200 GMT) and was initially misunderstood as a bomb and made authorities quickly evacuate streets and Grand Central Station that was crowded by people. However later on the New York Police Department informed that the explosion was not terrorism-related. The explosion left a 20-foot crater in the land and left plumes of steam roaring into the sky and throwing debris nearby. The pipe was 83-year-old and helped to heat and cool thousands of buildings. People have been instructed to remain away from the site as tests were conducted there. Later on the tests result showed presence of carcinogenic substance, asbestos in the debris. A statement was also issued asking those who were present at the blast incident to take a bath and wash their clothes properly to get rid of any asbestos. Steam at 200-degree was running under 150 pounds of pressure per square inch in the pipe and may have exploded by entrance of cold water or leakage at some point. The pipe is one of the largest commercial steam system that is operated by utility company Consolidated Edison. An eyewitness, investment banker Heiko Thieme claimed that the explosion was so loud that it seemed like an erupting volcano and brought the memories of 9/11 back. However, later New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg ruled out any possibility of a terrorist attack. Earlier in 1989, same kind of explosion that occurred due to the rupturing of a steam pipe had killed three people in the town.
Apr
26
