A steam pipe burst causing an explosion of a nearby transformer that was reported Wednesday afternoon in the Manhattan area of New York City. The explosion occurred near Grand Central Station, approximately at 41st and Lexington. Nearby buildings have been evacuated, and a large area has been blocked off. There are reports of a very large crater at the scene.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) has officially ruled out terrorism. Grand Central Station was quickly evacuated soon after the incident. Subway lines 4, 5 and 6 have no service in both directions between the 125th Street Station and the Bowling Green Station. The S line service has been shut completely.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) received a call at 5:56 p.m. EDT (UTC-4) reporting an explosion. More than 170 firefighters were dispatched to the scene. Witnesses reported that buildings in the nearby area shook, and that a nearby school bus had its windows blown out.
Three people have been reported injured, no casualties at this time. There are potentially harmful materials at the scene of the explosion and HAZMAT crews are on the scene.
