Authorities are tending to numerous manhole fires near 7th Avenue & West 13th Street (right by St. Vincent's Hospital!) and the following streets are closed: 13th St. between 6th and 8th Avenues and 7th Avenue between 14th and 13th Streets. Some buildings (mostly St. Vincent's) are without power and are being evacuated but St. Vincent's main hospital and emergency room are not affected. While it does not appear these manholes exploded, this How Stuff Works explanation about exploding manholes is helpful to understanding how a fire can occur.