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[UPDATE BELOW] We're getting reports that a taxi cab has exploded at 53rd and 7th Avenue. A tipster tells us: "The gas tank exploded... It was just in the right lane on Seventh Avenue at the light at 53rd Street. I was on Broadway and saw white smoke at first, then huge flames and the entire couple of blocks filled with black smoke. FDNY put it out but I think it took them a while to get there cause it was scorched. I don't think there was anyone inside, at least I hope not."
UPDATE: Another witness tells us that the cab engine starting spewing smoke, and the taxi driver vacated the vehicle. According to our source, "A cop opened the door and it exploded with flames." An employee at restaurant Brasserie Maison, located where the cab exploded, tells us, "There's a car on fire, that's all. Nobody got hurt. But I'm a really busy right now, I have to go." Cab fires: Good for the restaurant industry? Developing...
UPDATE: Brian at MostlyWeather has video of the fire—smoke entirely fills that stretch of Seventh Avenue!
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fully awesome!
my theory is "cyclist's revenge"
Is the Ford Pinto making a comeback? With the feds in charge at GM, it wouldn't surprise me.
Yes because the Pinto was all the guv'ment's fault! Ford tried to make the car safer, but the feds wouldn't let them spend the extra money to add appropriate bumpers and safety reinforcements!...oh wait...
I missed the part where I claimed Ford was blameless or even knew what they were doing. Anyway, it's the government who keeps rewarding and propping up these failed car companies going back to Chrysler in 1980. They should be left to go out of business and let the more competitive ones thrive.
Gee and we missed the opportunity to elect Ralph Nader.
teehee niceeee
Looks more like Beirut
Taxi fires seem like a big deal, but the NYPD should focus on more important things like the guy on the sidewalk with his bike.
Wasn't there a report several years ago, about a certain make of car commonly used for Taxi's that a warning was issued about, specifically because the gas tanks and the fact they could so easily be ignited, even from a minor fender bender if hit the right way? If that's the case and this was that type of car, why have they not enforced getting these death traps off busy city streets and get safer models out there. THIS would be a good way for Cash for Clunkers to be beneficial.
That's a really good point, Nyctinin11. They should implement some sort of cash for clunkers program that would enable cities across the country to upgrade their taxi fleets. It would be huge sales and maybe we could get these old pollution-spewing gas guzzlers off the road.
Yeah, the Ford Crown Victoria, which is the car pictured.
The fact that this fire is news demonstrates that there isn't a taxi fire epidemic, imo.
And it doesn't look like the gas tank even exploded. The update makes it sound like there was a backdraft or flashover into the passenger compartment.
s/demonstrates/suggests
Is it bad that I get special kind of delight when I see a cab burning (of course only cabs that don't have anyone inside)? It makes me hope there is someone in the universe watching and saying 'Okay, cabbie. What did I say would happen the next time you decided to drive like a total maniac?' - and KABOOM!
Well, when I'm paying somebody to drive me, I WANT them to drive like a maniac, cause they are driving on my dime!
those are the gas tank exploding crown vics, mercury marquis and lincoln town cars. great highway cars.
It does not appear that the taxi's gas tank caught fire. What seems to have happened is an engine fire that spread to the passenger compartment.
I can smell it at Madison and 60th, too bad my prick boss won't let me leave to view the scene.
Go ask him if he'll let you post on Gothamist.
Nice NY experience for the tourists.
ha!
so, my boss lives at 53rd and 7th... I am actually about to take a cab to his place to drop off some stuff. Not looking forward to that.
The city clearly has to get to working on some new signs that say "don't even THINK of bursting into flames here."
Yeah! Fuck that cab and fuck all cabbies! I hate them just like you guys because they smell and drive fast and talk on their phones to relatives back home while taking me wherever I want to go at any time. They all deserve to fucking die!
Goobers.
what planet are you from?
Take the subway then, or call a car service, don't sit here and complain when you clearly continue to take taxi's.
That'll buff right out.
"That'll buff right out."
Now that's funny.
That'll buff right out.
That video is awesome! I especially like how fully 100% of the other people in the shot also have their camera phones out. The world is weird.
Funnier and weirder are the people walking by as if nothing is happening. Just another fire in the street.
Were any cyclists inconvenienced by the acrid smoke?
Don't worry, TA will release a statement later today.
"If that cabbie had been riding a bike..."
any word on whether or not that cabbie saved his medallion? sh*t. street value for that is at least 200k!!!
All the cabs lined up to the right look like nervous cattle at the slaughterhouse, waiting their turn....
"Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one. "
Fight Club Reference!
Note to cabbies: next time, don't leave the Chicken Vindaloo under your seat.
This is hot.