July 18, 2007
UPDATED… A Horrific Reminder
Steam Pipe Explosion in Midtown Manhattan Sends Frightmare Throughout Big Apple; What Spews from the Crater
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
A very large hole in the street, but “This could not have happened in a worst time in a worst place.”
Those words voiced by a WABC TV reporter describing the 20-inch pipe explosion at rush hour in Midtown Manhattan. Power out to much of mid-town. Millions of pounds of steam, chunks of flying concrete, and the equivalent of an eight-alarm fire spreading on Lexington Avenue and 41st Street.
The good news: It was NOT terrorism, but a grim reminder of why “remain vigilant” continues in the vocabulary of a post 9/11 world.
Late Wednesday afternoon, an explosion in New York City with its steamy debris sent chills down the spines of New Yorkers and other Americans.
Watching live video of a huge ball of energy spilled out of a crater in the shadows of Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building. Those nearby were pelted with what WABC – TV reporters described as tornado force shot pieces of Lexington Avenue pavement throughout the city, including hitting windows as high as the 27th floor.
Witnesses found themselves covered with mud as a “major emergency” according to FDNY. Debris rained out like a geyser. “What is going on,” a reporter asked as a major continuous roar dominated all of midtown Manhattan. As of 7 p.m. July 18, 2007, FDNY has been gradually shutting down pressure blowing out of pipes between 41st and 42nd Street. Reporters have explained that FDNY did not want to shut off the pressure completely for fear of blowing pipes in other locations.
Video of the aftermath indicated that a couple of buses, including a school buses, covered with soot and cement debris, and a large truck collapsed into the hole in the pavement.
As the firefighters work on the five alarm emergency, no one knows about the air quality with the mud and steam spewing.
Obviously, the scenes with steam and mud, so resembled the whoosh of debris that overtook individuals when the Twin Towers collapsed on 9/11.
“The entire ground rumbled. We came downstairs,” explained a man with an apartment nearby. He said people’s first impression was to “freak out,” but expecting the worst they quickly evacuated.
“We live in a vertical city,” explained a reporter, who said that one lesson unlearned from 9/11 --- FDNY does not have its own helicopter. They had to be flown by police choppers.
Andrew Troisi, NYC Office of Emergency Management, has encouraged anyone in the vicinity to leave due to the unknown potential for toxic air. And, Con Edison has begun relieving the steam from other pipes on the line.
Chief Donnley, an FDNY official, confirmed a steam pipe explosion with mostly non-life threatening injuries. (One man died from cardiac arrest.) Donnley warned that asbestos may have been blown out into the air so first responders are utilizing masks since the structural integrity of the street and structures are unknown.
Obviously, the surreal scenes again in NYC evoked a gluttony of emotions. But, as eyewitness stories circulate and investigation continues, the explosion illustrates just how fragile life and so-called normality has become. Although injuries will mount --- the buildings nearby have not been searched --- and trembling repercussions will continue for days as those nearest to what one reporter called “Grand Zero,” learn the extinct of damage to apartments, businesses, subways, and work places.
Ironically, NYC has continually complained to the Bush Administration about not receiving enough Homeland Security funding. Though, this time it appears to be weakening of an aging 1924 steam pipe, the explosion illustrated again how fearless first responders rush in to ensure that other are escorted safely out of the danger zone.
Described as an “infrastructure failure,” the terms “command post,” as well as eyewitnesses speaking of scared people running out of their shoes, emphasizes too that you do not need a suicide bomber or other terrorist to create chaos. “Where are they going to stay and go,” echoes of questions asked during many emergencies throughout the country.
In other words, preparation and vigilance equals a state of readiness for any type of emergency. And, again, here’s another ‘thank you’ to Huntington’s responders not only for their heroics in the Emmons Junior tragedy, but fortuitous actions during Tuesday, July 17, 2007 freak thunder and wind storm.
Finally, NYC has shown another lesson learned from the health aftermath from the terrorist tragedy --- EPA officials are now taking air samples of locations near the debris, and advising those who were out when the debris flew to shower , change clothing, and put the clothing in a bag. Fortunately, too, when the steam blew, the mixture with water may have diminished the potential contamination from asbestos.
NOTE: If you have streaming video, such NYC television stations as WCBS-TV, WABC-TV, WNBC-TV, and Fox5NY may have live video on the internet.
UPDATED… A Horrific Reminder
Steam Pipe Explosion in Midtown Manhattan Sends Frightmare Throughout Big Apple; What Spews from the Crater
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
A very large hole in the street, but “This could not have happened in a worst time in a worst place.”
Those words voiced by a WABC TV reporter describing the 20-inch pipe explosion at rush hour in Midtown Manhattan. Power out to much of mid-town. Millions of pounds of steam, chunks of flying concrete, and the equivalent of an eight-alarm fire spreading on Lexington Avenue and 41st Street.
The good news: It was NOT terrorism, but a grim reminder of why “remain vigilant” continues in the vocabulary of a post 9/11 world.
Late Wednesday afternoon, an explosion in New York City with its steamy debris sent chills down the spines of New Yorkers and other Americans.
Watching live video of a huge ball of energy spilled out of a crater in the shadows of Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building. Those nearby were pelted with what WABC – TV reporters described as tornado force shot pieces of Lexington Avenue pavement throughout the city, including hitting windows as high as the 27th floor.
Witnesses found themselves covered with mud as a “major emergency” according to FDNY. Debris rained out like a geyser. “What is going on,” a reporter asked as a major continuous roar dominated all of midtown Manhattan. As of 7 p.m. July 18, 2007, FDNY has been gradually shutting down pressure blowing out of pipes between 41st and 42nd Street. Reporters have explained that FDNY did not want to shut off the pressure completely for fear of blowing pipes in other locations.
Video of the aftermath indicated that a couple of buses, including a school buses, covered with soot and cement debris, and a large truck collapsed into the hole in the pavement.
As the firefighters work on the five alarm emergency, no one knows about the air quality with the mud and steam spewing.
Obviously, the scenes with steam and mud, so resembled the whoosh of debris that overtook individuals when the Twin Towers collapsed on 9/11.
“The entire ground rumbled. We came downstairs,” explained a man with an apartment nearby. He said people’s first impression was to “freak out,” but expecting the worst they quickly evacuated.
“We live in a vertical city,” explained a reporter, who said that one lesson unlearned from 9/11 --- FDNY does not have its own helicopter. They had to be flown by police choppers.
Andrew Troisi, NYC Office of Emergency Management, has encouraged anyone in the vicinity to leave due to the unknown potential for toxic air. And, Con Edison has begun relieving the steam from other pipes on the line.
Chief Donnley, an FDNY official, confirmed a steam pipe explosion with mostly non-life threatening injuries. (One man died from cardiac arrest.) Donnley warned that asbestos may have been blown out into the air so first responders are utilizing masks since the structural integrity of the street and structures are unknown.
Obviously, the surreal scenes again in NYC evoked a gluttony of emotions. But, as eyewitness stories circulate and investigation continues, the explosion illustrates just how fragile life and so-called normality has become. Although injuries will mount --- the buildings nearby have not been searched --- and trembling repercussions will continue for days as those nearest to what one reporter called “Grand Zero,” learn the extinct of damage to apartments, businesses, subways, and work places.
Ironically, NYC has continually complained to the Bush Administration about not receiving enough Homeland Security funding. Though, this time it appears to be weakening of an aging 1924 steam pipe, the explosion illustrated again how fearless first responders rush in to ensure that other are escorted safely out of the danger zone.
Described as an “infrastructure failure,” the terms “command post,” as well as eyewitnesses speaking of scared people running out of their shoes, emphasizes too that you do not need a suicide bomber or other terrorist to create chaos. “Where are they going to stay and go,” echoes of questions asked during many emergencies throughout the country.
In other words, preparation and vigilance equals a state of readiness for any type of emergency. And, again, here’s another ‘thank you’ to Huntington’s responders not only for their heroics in the Emmons Junior tragedy, but fortuitous actions during Tuesday, July 17, 2007 freak thunder and wind storm.
Finally, NYC has shown another lesson learned from the health aftermath from the terrorist tragedy --- EPA officials are now taking air samples of locations near the debris, and advising those who were out when the debris flew to shower , change clothing, and put the clothing in a bag. Fortunately, too, when the steam blew, the mixture with water may have diminished the potential contamination from asbestos.
NOTE: If you have streaming video, such NYC television stations as WCBS-TV, WABC-TV, WNBC-TV, and Fox5NY may have live video on the internet.
