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 ›

Up to 50 people have been evacuated from a six story building at 410 West 23rd Street near 9Th Avenue. According to reports coming in over the wires, there are three smoking manholes outside the buildings, and carbon monoxide readings over 220 parts per million. And yes, we've seen this movie before! Update: Here's video. more ›

In 1935, the NY Times published an article titled, “Alligator Found in Uptown Sewer,” tracing the actions of 16-year-old Salvatore Condoluci and his comrades, who trapped and killed an 8-foot-long alligator found under 123rd Street. Today, at 92, Condoluci still remembers some of the tale, and the Times looks back at the urban legend. more ›