You are reading

Several Buildings Evacuated in Astoria Tuesday Following Multiple Manhole Explosions

Firefighters at the scene in Astoria following manhole explosions (Citizen)

Feb. 9, 2021 By Michael Dorgan

Several buildings in Astoria were evacuated Tuesday after multiple manhole explosions went off sending smoke billowing into the air.

Firefighters responded to reports of manhole fires outside Capital One Bank, located at 31-17 Broadway, just before 3 p.m., according to the FDNY.

A number of Citizen users captured video footage of heavy smoke at the scene. In one instance, a car could be seen parked on top of a manhole outside Investors Bank, located at 31-01 Broadway, with smoke coming up from the roadway.

One user recorded a woman walking past the car just before a loud explosion went off from underneath the vehicle.

There were no injuries reported from the incident, the FDNY said.

Explosion From Two Maintenance Hole Fire @CitizenApp

32nd St & Broadway 2:57:55 PM EST

The FDNY said that several units arrived at the scene and assessed a number of buildings on the block for carbon monoxide seepage as a result of the fires.

Firefighters detected elevated levels of gas inside Capital One Bank as well as at 31-01 Broadway, which is occupied by Investors Bank, Starbucks and Quontic Bank. Elevated carbon monoxide levels were also detected at Club Fitness, located at 31-11 Broadway. All of the buildings were evacuated, the FDNY said.

The FDNY said that the scene is now under control.

Manhole fires are a common occurrence in New York City, particularly in the winter.

The mixture of melting snow and de-icing salt seeping into manholes cause frayed low-voltage cables to fail. In turn, that causes fires, smoke and explosions that can send manhole covers flying.

Smoke billowing out from a manhole cover that has a car parked above it (Citizen)

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.