A Brooklyn firefighter is badly burned after a manhole exploded under a parked car that he was moving after making sure its occupant was at a safe distance. Lt. Richard Buckhelt, a 16-year-veteran of the FDNY, responded to a call from Pablo Mejia of smoke billowing from a manhole on Lincoln Road underneath a Honda Accord. Mejia tells the Post, "He took my keys, got in, and right when he tried to back up, that manhole exploded with him in [the car]." A witness says he "just heard 'Boom!' and the car went up in the air. There were a lot of flames and smoke." Buckhelt is being treated for first and second degree burns on his face and hands. more ›

We knew that Wiffle ball and freeze tag were the silent killers of the playground, but there's another menace that will spark your child's whimsy, earn their trust then strike them down onto the cruel mulch below. Of course, we're referring to tire swings, and one located in Battery Park City's West Thames Park claimed two tiny victims last year, who "sustained large lumps" after bumping their heads against a wooden beam that supports the swing. Naturally, parental grousing cured the problem, and the swing was taken down until the problem was remedied. Now, the swing is back: DNAinfo reports that it will be re-installed "within the next four to six weeks." Can anyone think of a reason not to keep your child in one of these hermetically sealed bubbles until they're 18? more ›

Whaddaya know, those oh-so-controversial cheap lawn chairs scattered through the Broadway pedestrian plazas are falling apart! WCBS was on the scene yesterday to report on the disintegrating seats, and confirmed that the plastic straps holding them together are frayed and snapping! Critics have been dissing the chairs, bought at Pintchik Hardware in Brooklyn, since they first appeared, for supposedly attracting the homeless, the lazy, and the European. And now the haters have new ammo, because these things are obviously a grave safety hazard. Floridian tourist Norma Frank saw a chair collapse under her husband Mitch yesterday, and pleaded with New Yorkers for help, "If anybody would like to chip in for a new pair of pants and possibly a new knee..." Mitch insists he wasn't "really" injured, but sometimes it takes a lawyer to show you where it hurts. The Times Square BID will be replacing the chairs with sturdier street furniture by the end of the month, so get over there now if you want in on the inevitable class action lawsuit. more ›

You know, Twittering isn't just good for making sure everyone knows you're watching Mad Men; it's also an effective tool for getting the word out on potential health risks. (You can thank us later, Thursday Style section.) For instance, we know from Sarah Lewitinn's Twitter that you may want to steer clear of a local Mexican franchise: "Got a bean burrito loco from San Loco on Stanton yesterday. It had a weird soapy taste and I got major food poisoning." Reached for comment, the Ultragrrrl elaborated, "I eat at SL all the time as well... but it tasted weird last night and I should've stopped eating. My body is showing signs of the flu but I'm puking so I'm confused." more ›

For the love of all that is crafty and thrifty: Brooklyn's beloved Flea is in danger! NYMag reports that "the large church on Vanderbilt & Lafayette along with some FG residents are meeting this week to try to shut it down." This is their third meeting addressing the topic, and each meeting has grown in size and support. Yikes! Jonathan Butler, organizer of the Brooklyn Flea, confirmed the problems and told us the following:

At this point, as far as we know, it's a matter of a few residents and church members who feel inconvenienced by some quality of life issues that are the natural by-product of holding an event like this. Councilmember Tish James will be presenting a number of specific steps to address these concerns at the meeting on Thursday and we are optimistic that the community will be able to move forward from there. The Flea is a source of both economic stimulus and community building and the large majority of people in the area--including the Fort Greene Association and the Society for Clinton Hill--are in full support of it.