If It's Snowy, There Will Be Manhole Fires

There were multiple manhole fires around the city, thanks to the mix of snow (from Mother Nature), salt (to melt the snow), and cables (underground). WCBS 2 reports "hundreds were forced out into the cold" yesterday, and FDNY Battalion Chief Kevin Loughran said, "How did the fire start in the manhole? Probably arcing from the salt and the wet wire. The insulation probably wore off." One of the fires was at the Upper West Side youth hostel at 104th & Amsterdam. Over 200 tourists had to evacuate, though they were able to board buses and drink hot cocoa, according to the Post. The fire was put out, but one Australian tourist was slightly disappointed, "I didn't have any burly firemen rescue me. I feel left out."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 22, 2008 9:08 AM

Comments [rss]

Qraymond

9th st and 2nd ave is having a Con Ed manhole/live electrical situation right now.

tingo

You guys missed that crazy fire over on 6th avenue and west 10th street the other night. I think was the same thing.

numbertwopencil

Every other block below 14th St. has a bunch of ConEd guys sitting around a smoking manhole. Hello, it snows in NYC. And, hello, there's a lot of salt around when it snows. Seems to me ConEd should install transformers, etc. with this in mind. I know, ConEd always says "Old equipment. Old wires." and so on but, really, does this happen in other NE cities? And if the wires are old and exposed, hello, why don't they _fix_ the problem? I'm sure it's expensive but having your entire work crew running on overtime throughout the winter is also expensive.