A steam pipe ruptured in Midtown East early Wednesday morning, causing concerns for residents who needed to shelter in place in their apartments. This incident also led to several street closures.
The steam line issue started as a leak at East 52nd Street and 2nd Avenue around 2 a.m., according to the Department of Emergency Management. The rupture continued to worsen before it was capped around 6:45 a.m., emergency officials said.
Some streets in the area are closed, including 1st Avenue to Lexington Avenue from 51st Street to 54th Street and 51st Street to 54th Street from 1st Avenue to Lexington Avenue. Police also weren’t allowing people to enter the area, several New Yorkers attempting to get to work told NBC New York.
While emergency crews were evaluating the area, the FDNY said residents were being asked to shelter in place in their apartments. Con Edison advised residents to close their windows and for the public to stay clear of the area around East 52nd Street and 2nd Avenue.
First responders are providing escorts for residents to safely leave the area, according to the Department of Emergency Management.
“The big thing right now that we’re working on is they are doing some air quality testing. We’ll have those results back later this morning,” said Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol. Con Ed said environmental testing for asbestos in the immediate area.
Iscol said his crews are working to expedite the testing and clean up process. N-95 masks are available to residents concerned about the air quality.
No one was injured in the incident. Eight Con Edison steam customers were impacted by the rupture, officials said.
Editor’s note: The FDNY initially said residents were being evacuated from the area rather than sheltering in place.
