Crime & Safety
Union Square Explosion Caused By Manhole Fire, FDNY Says
People reported hearing a loud boom close to the Strand Bookstore Friday morning. Here's what happened.
UNION SQUARE, MANHATTAN — An explosion near The Strand Bookstore in Union Square Friday was being blamed on a manhole fire, the FDNY said.
It caused major traffic delays in the area which stretched through Friday morning.
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Firefighters respond to a manhole explosion near the Strand Bookstore Friday (Ciara McCarthy)
The fire started around 6:45 a.m. near 12th Street and Broadway, the FDNY said. Several neighbors also reported hearing a loud boom just before 8 a.m.
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FDNY Deputy Chief Bob Carroll said pressure from the fire caused two manholes to blow. Nobody was injured, he said.
3 manholes were smoking, 2 blew from pressure & fire. No injuries to civilians -#FDNY Dep Chief Bob Carroll pic.twitter.com/PMbvJx6OrU
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 31, 2017
Traffic expert Gridlock Sam tweeted around 10:30 a.m. that Broadway was still closed between East 12th and 14th streets and East 12th Street was closed between Fourth Avenue and University Place.
Broadway btw E. 12 & E. 14th Sts., E. 12 St. btw 4th Ave. & University Pl. are closed due to manhole fires near Union Sq. Avoid the area.
— GridlockSam Schwartz (@GridlockSam) March 31, 2017
Shattered glass litters the street outside Broadway Kitchens and Baths (Ciara McCarthy)
Huge explosion sound on Broadway and 12th street #NYC
— Amy Mariea Bowllan (@abowllan) March 31, 2017
Manhole explosion on East 12 and Broadway. Loud sound. My right ear is hurting from the sound on impact. #Manhattan @NBCNews pic.twitter.com/zZYWVT822o
— Rima Abdelkader (@RimaKader) March 31, 2017
Businesses along Broadway were closed Friday morning as firefighters and Con Ed employees investigated the scene. Streets were completely closed off on Broadway between E 13th Street and halfway down E 11th Street, with most storefronts in that range closed as well.
Hi Strand fam, thanks for checking on us this morning. The Strand (& books) are safe!! We are currently closed, stay tuned for updates.
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) March 31, 2017
Traffic was still gridlocked on Friday at 11:30 a.m., with the road closures causing major delays and turning the streets around Union Square into a parking lot.
A spokesman for the fire department told Patch that Con Ed employees were also investigating a "very dangerous" level of carbon monoxide at 826 Broadway on Friday.
"The area is going to be under the work and control of Con Ed for some time," the spokesman said.
The Strand bookstore remained closed all day and canceled an event scheduled for Friday night, but said on Twitter that it would reopen on Saturday.
Our hearts are warm from today's community support. We will be closed today & tonight's event will be rescheduled. We'll see you all tmw!
— Strand Book Store (@strandbookstore) March 31, 2017
This story has been updated throughout with additional information.
Lead Image by Ciara McCarthy
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