MIDTOWN—A Curbed tipster emails, "I work near Grand Central station and the lights flickered across our entire floor around 6PM. Everyone gasped, as it was reminiscent of the blackout a few years ago. Then, immediately, we heard fire/police sirens—I still hear them now. We got an announcement saying that there was an incident in Grand Central. Then, that was revised to a manhole cover was blown on 43rdSt due to a broken transformer." According to multiple sources, it was an accidental steam-pipe explosion on 41st Street between Lexington and Third Avenues. Per CityRoom, several office buildings in the area have been evacuated. Your reports from the scene in the comments, please. UPDATE 6:55pm: Intense steamy skyline photos are popping up on Flickr. Per a Curbed commenter, there's gaping hole in Lexington Avenue. UPDATE 7:05PM: Gothamist quotes a local resident speaking on TV saying that rocks and debris flew past his 27th-story window. Steam still venting, venting, venting. [CurbedWire Inbox/Staff]
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