A transformer exploded and burst into flames in a manhole on West 17th Street earlier this afternoon. The FDNY is currently characterizing this as an "all-hands fire," and about 60 firefighters are currently on the scene at 55 West 17th Street. The explosion blew out some windows in nearby buildings just before 2:30 p.m., and some buildings are being evacuated because of high carbon monoxide readings. more ›

Earlier this morning, a transformer exploded in the Bronx, causing a power outage in the Gun Hill section. One of the affected buildings in the area was Eastchester Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, and one of the patients on ventilators died, according to the Post. more ›

We're getting multiple reports that two manholes are on fire on West 40th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. One tipster says several fire trucks are on the scene, and the entire area is covered in smoke. According to reports over the wires, the FDNY called "all hands" to fight a transformer fire with an extension into a 14 story building. "High carbon monoxide readings" are being reported near the scene. There are no injuries reported yet. more ›

Just before noon yesterday a huge explosion sent fireballs up an historic landmark building in the Flatiron District, on 6th Avenue and 20th Street. WCBS reports that the explosion could have been caused by Wednesday's storm, with melting snow and salt working its way into an electrical vault on the building's exterior. FDNY Deputy Chief James Daly told them, "We've been running on manholes all night since the storm started. So it's a likely culprit." more ›

Just before noon a reader wrote in from 6th Avenue and 20th Street saying, "Lots of emergency vehicles. People in the street. Smoke billowing out the north side (20th st.) of the building. 6th ave traffic messed up." Word over the newswire was the fire, at 641 6th Avenue, was sparked by a manhole explosion. Another reader, who works in that building, told us they were evacuated because of a fire in the subway; she also notes a "huge fireball" reached the 5th floor. Con Ed and the FDNY are on the scene. more ›

Another explosion allegedly happened in Brooklyn last night—at Metrotech around 6:30 p.m. to be exact. Word is a transformer blew up, at which point one young lady started filming the aftermath—watch the series of events, fully narrated, go down on YouTube. At around 12 seconds in this video there seems to be another little burst: more ›

Paging Doc Brown, this car is from the future! Well, at least the future we pictured back in the '80s. Or an old Transformers cartoon. Now it's more like a futuristic car based off of our nostalgia-inspired designs. Regardless, it was spotted recently on Avenue C and 8th Street and the photographer, Will McDonough, tells us "it had Hydraulic doors, that opened when the driver unlocked the door. He customized the dashboard with a tons of switches and levers... not sure what they did. This thing has so many blind spots, god knows how he can drive it through the city." How long do you think it'll last in this rough n' tumble town? more ›