The explosion damaged cars and storefronts and caused power failures on Manhattan’s East Side, the authorities said.
A manhole fire and explosion in Manhattan early on Sunday morning damaged cars and storefronts, caused power failures and injured at least three people, officials said. The Fire Department responded to a call about smoke coming from several manholes on 56th Street between First and Second Avenues around 4:30 a.m. Firefighters searched the buildings on both sides of the street, John Sarrocco, a deputy assistant chief, said at a news briefing. Around 7:40 a.m., one of the manholes exploded, causing multiple power failures on the block, as well as rising levels of carbon monoxide gas in several buildings in the area, Chief Sarrocco said.
