36 Buildings Re-Open After Flatiron Steam Pipe Explosion

CHELSEA, NY — The city has re-opened 36 buildings that were shuttered last Thursday after a steam pipe explosion sprayed the structures with cancer-causing asbestos, said the city's Office of Emergency Management.

Crews are working around the clock to re-open the remaining buildings including nine with interior asbestos contamination. Those building owners will need to hire an asbestos abatement company before residents can return to their homes and businesses, said the Department of Environmental Protection.

"We'll have to work with buildings that need additional abatement," said Angela Licata, a deputy commissioner with the Department of Environmental Protection at a Monday community briefing. "We're trying to work as safely and as quickly as possible to get people home."

At two Monday community briefings on the cleanup, frustrated residents demanded answers on when every building will reopen. There is still no timeline for when all displaced residents will return to their homes.

Department of Environmental Protection officials have collected nearly 1,700 outdoor air samples near the Fifth Avenue and 21st Street steam pipe explosion that sent scalding steam and chunks of pavement skyward. Not a single recent test has tested positive for asbestos fibers since the blast.

Department of health and environmental protection officials are inspecting and re-inspecting each building facade. Officials asked building managers to replace ventilation filters and conducted additional air quality tests with the new systems up and running.

The city is not checking individual apartments and businesses within the buildings and those that have been cleared for re-entry could still have asbestos lining their air ducts.

Even new air filtration systems could recirculate the asbestos into the air, so the health department recommends anyone who spots additional "dust splatter" inside their buildings to hire an asbestos abatement company. A claim for the costs can be submitted to Con Edison.

The Hotel Association of New York City and the Hotel Trade Council is working with the city to provide shelter for affected residents. Those still in need of a temporary room are urged to visit the city reception center at The Clinton School at 10 E. 15th St., which is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The ASPCA will also be on site to help folks find pet friendly accommodations.

All streets surrounding the rupture were re-opened to traffic and pedestrians, except for Fifth Avenue between 20th and 21st streets, according to the Office of Emergency Management.

The following 36 buildings have been cleared for re-occupancy:

119 5th Avenue (which includes 3 East 19th Street)
123 5th Avenue
125 5th Avenue
142 5th Avenue (which includes 1 West 19th Street, 5 West 19th Street)
146 5th Avenue
162 5th Avenue (which includes 1 West 21st Street)
164 5th Avenue
166 5th Avenue
7 West 19th Street
9 West 19th Street
11 West 19th Street (which includes 17 West 19th Street, 10 West 20th Street, and 16 West 20th Street)
5 West 20th Street
6 West 20th Street
7 West 20th Street
9 West 20th Street
11 West 20th Street
15 West 20th Street
17 West 20th Street
4 West 21st Street (which includes 10 West 21st Street)
5 West 21st Street
7 West 21st Street
12 West 21st Street
16 West 21st Street
18 West 21st Street
19 West 21st Street
22 West 21st Street
29 West 21st Street
30 West 21st Street
5 East 20th Street
7 East 20th Street
16 West 22nd Street ( which includes 15 West 21st Street)
10 East 21th Street (which includes 915 Broadway)

16 West 22nd Street ( which includes 15 West 21st Street)
10 East 21th Street (which includes 915 Broadway)
927 Broadway

The following addresses contain debris inside the buildings:

129 – 131 5th Avenue
133 5th Avenue
135 5th Avenue
137 5th Avenue
139 5th Avenue
141 5th Avenue (which includes 145 5th Avenue)
160 5th Avenue
149 5th Avenue (which includes 921 and 925 Broadway)
3 West 20th Street (which includes 156 5th Avenue)

Photo courtesy of the City of New York