4:20 pm. 120 E 56th st, Manhattan; Police and FDNY responded to a reported to a 911 call of a manhole explosion. Officials detected high levels of carbon monoxide being released form an underground source. Occupants were evacuated from the basement level and officials have taped off the area.
Con Edison workers at the scene have been opening nearby manhole covers to check the monoxide levels. the extent of the damages are unknown at this time but officials have been working over an hour to repair the pipelines.
As of 5:15 officials have reported the carbon monoxide levels are decreasing.
Witnesses from the Lombardy building told Sleuth that while they did not hear the manhole explosion, they were evacuated after checking on the activity. They did state that occupants in the building above were not evacuated.
As of 6:00pm FDNY officials have removed the barriers and declared the area safe. Normal traffic has resumed.
