Posted at 12:46 p.m., Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Steam blast scares New Yorkers; terrorism unlikely
Associated Press
NEW YORK — Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan on Wednesday during the evening rush hour, officials said.The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD said it does not appear to be terrorism-related.
A large column of gray smoke poured from the vicinity of a building near Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building, and the air near the site was filled with ash.
Thousands of commuters evacuated the train terminal, some at a run, after workers yelled for people to get out of the building.
Witnesses reported that their buildings shook.
