Manhole explosions leave Brownsville residents with no AC in scorching heat
Neighbors say they started smelling something burning just before noon, and when they came outside they saw smoke and flames billowing out of the manholes.
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A stretch of Rockaway Parkway, between Willmohr Street and Church Avenue, was closed off for multiple hours on Wednesday, after two manholes exploded.
Neighbors say they started smelling something burning just before noon, and when they came outside they saw smoke and flames billowing out of the manholes.
Tony Miller’s car was parked right next to one of manholes when it blew up.
“I thought it was my car on fire,” said Miller. “It was like a volcano, you can see fire coming up, and explosions like pop, pop, pop.”
Natasha Fraser lives in front of the manholes, she says she heard the explosions, too.
“A loud explosion and then it quieted down,” she said. “And then the fire started coming up from the streets.”
Neighbors says some of the power went out, leaving them with no working air conditioning in the scorching heat.
A Con Edison spokesperson says the explosions were likely caused by the heat, and that voltage was reduced in the area to relieve strain on the system.
So far, there is no word on when the power will be restored.
