Law Enforcement
VIDEO: Loud explosions reported in NYC Times Square sewers
New York firefighters reported no injuries, but several people thought the incident was an attack
April 11, 2022 12:28pm
Updated: April 12, 2022 6:08am
A series of loud explosions were reported Sunday afternoon from three manholes in Times Square in the heart of New York City, according to NBC New York.
Two police officers were taken to a hospital for ringing in the ears, but no other injuries were reported from the blasts that caused panic among tourists, who fled thinking it was a terrorist attack.
After the explosions, emergency services and the NYPD closed off a portion of the area.
Firefighters responding to the scene found elevated levels of carbon monoxide in a building on West 229th Street and worked to alleviate the situation in the basement and sub-basement, the television station continued to report.
At least one manhole explosion was due to a fire in a cable, authorities confirmed.
Videos shared on social media show people who were in the area running away from the scene at the time of the explosion.
Breaking :Explosion from a Manhole
— 444CNews (@444CNews) April 10, 2022
Causes Mass Panic in NewYork ,Times Square. pic.twitter.com/MHPsFFxGEf
In one of the videos, a young woman is seen running desperately after hearing one of the loud bangs.
🇺🇲#EEUU 🚨#URGENTE | Momento que se escucha la explosión de alcantarilla en el Times Square, en Nueva York. El estallido género pánico entre las personas que estaban en el lugar y corrieron en busca de refugio. #RochexRB27 pic.twitter.com/6DPVloxg4w
— Rochex R. Robinson Bonilla (@RochexRB27) April 11, 2022
According to the city's management report released last year, sewer fires doubled between 2020 and 2021, reaching a total of 6,104.
These incidents occur when gas accumulates underground and is ignited by an electrical short or spark, causing an explosion through the path of least resistance, which is usually a manhole, according to Marca USA.
