Steam Explosion Causes Scare in NYC

[General]

Fire and emergency crews responded to the scene of a suspected steam explosion near Grand Central Terminal 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 steam poured from the vicinity of a building near the train station 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.

[General]

That is some powerful steam

[Oni]

I was there, i was closer than that second picture when i came out of the grand central station onto lexgington ave. Apparently it had exploded about 3 minutes before i got there and i saw the street collapsing looking like it was coming my way. Probably one of the scariest things i've ever seen in my life......an 8 story gray plume shooting into the sky - and the deafening roar.

People inside the terminal were going nuts but they didnt close it or evacuate. None of the staff told them to leave except when coming out of the subway tunnels into the terminal.

I'm sure it wasnt a terrorist act, but i DID see about 8 cops hauling away some dude that was soaked it looked like though the terminal with his hands cuffed behind him.