Updated: Manhole Explosion Near Grand Central Station, NYC
by agoldnyc
Wed Jul 18, 2007 at 03:26:29 PM PDT
This is breaking. Manhole explosion near Grand Central.
- agoldnyc's diary :: ::
But it appears to be poorly maintained infrastructure. Sorry for the short diary. I'm okay, but many will have trouble with their return commute home. Millions go through that station. No word yet on when services will be back up.
My commute will be unaffected. It's hard to tell what's smoke and what's fog outside our windows.
I suspect that this proves ConEd has failed NYC again, but of course if the infrastructure is under-maintained, ConEd will get cash to fix it and that cash will go to bonuses and dividends.
Another diary on this subject: http://www.dailykos.com/...
Mayor Bloomberg is making a statement and studiously avoiding blaming ConEd. He said it's a 24 inch steam pipe that was installed in 1924. It may have burst due to rain or due to a water main break we don't know about yet.
There may have been asbestos released. Rubberneckers did not wear protection.
If you checked out the scene, you may want to get your lungs examined or at least see you doctor, especially if you have trouble breathing. My gf says you can take Vitamin C and Magnesium to reduce inflammation. If you worked nearby, you might go to a hospital for decontamination of you and your clothes.
The nearest hospital is Bellevue
Bellevue Hospital Center
462 First Avenue (between 26th and 29th streets -- take either of those, there are no 27th or 28th streets at first avenue)
New York, New York 10016
General Information: (212) 562-1000
Mayor says just wash your clothes.
Injuries: 1 death from cardiac arrest, 20-odd civilian injuries, 3 firefighters treated for minor injuries.
Electrical system harmed but nobody without power.
NYC uses an old steam heat system.
Want to know why I blame ConEd? See all of these diaries:
Also not mentioned: today was the one year anniversary of the Astoria blackout.
If you have funds, get your clothes analyzed by a lab.
