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Steam Explosion Rattles NYers

By Caroline Miller,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2007 6:20 PM CDT
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(Newser) – An explosion in a steam pipe under the street near Grand Central Station at rush hour today gave New Yorkers a case of nerves, sending a guyer of steam many stories into the air and spattering onlookers with mud. The police department hastened to confirm that it was not terrorism related.

Grand Central was emptied—some commuters breaking into a run—and train service was interrupted. One employee at a nearby office building reported feeling the building shake, and hurrying down 30 flights of stairs. The explosion was said to be caused by something called a "water hammer," the result of condensation inside pipes.

In this photo taken with a cell phone, steam billows out of a hole in the asphalt on 41st St. between 3rd and Lexingon Avenues Wednesday afternoon, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD...
In this photo taken with a cell phone, steam billows out of a hole in the asphalt on 41st St. between 3rd and Lexingon Avenues Wednesday afternoon, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a...   (Associated Press)
Smoke rises at the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. 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. (AP Photo/Mary...
Smoke rises at the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate...   (Associated Press)
This frame grab video image taken from WABC TV Eyewitness News shows the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD said...
This frame grab video image taken from WABC TV Eyewitness News shows the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Station in Manhattan, Wednesday, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department...   (Associated Press)
In this photo taken with a cell phone, steam billows out of a hole in the asphalt on 41st St. between 3rd and Lexingon Avenues Wednesday afternoon, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a steam pipe exploded, and had no immediate detail on possible injuries. The NYPD...
In this photo taken with a cell phone, steam billows out of a hole in the asphalt on 41st St. between 3rd and Lexingon Avenues Wednesday afternoon, July 18, 2007. The New York Police Department said a...   (Associated Press)
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