According To Mayor Michael Bloomberg one person died and twenty were injured by the Steam Explosion in NYC

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UPDATE:

• Mayor Michael Bloomberg told reporters that one person died from a heart attack following the incident and 20 others were injured.


• Four firefighters were treated for minor injuries at the scene.


• It is understood a 60cm steam pipe, installed in 1924 and used in the heating and cooling systems of office buildings in the area, burst due to to rain water from a morning deluge seeping into the pipe.


• A spokesperson for electrical supplier Con Edison said the company was testing the air for asbestos as a precaution.


• A similar steam pipe explosion in 1989 killed three people and caused a health alert due to asbestos being released into the air.
   

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Understatement of the year:

Utility company Consolidated Edison is reported to have said "there is an operational problem in the area and crews are responding". 

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A Very Large Explosion In Midtown Manhattan Appears To Have Been Caused By A Ruptured Steam-Pipe.

An explosion has taken place in midtown Manhattan and according to recent media reports steam shot up at least ten stories into the air. Witnesses say a building has collapsed near where the blast happened.
Officials say that there is no reason to believe that the explosion is related to an act of terrorism.

Television reports say the blast was caused by a transformer.

• Fire and emergency crews are responding to the suspected manhole explosion.


• Several blocks in New York have been evacuated.


• No injuries were reported, according to New York Office of Emergency Management.


• Subway lines near the explosion have been rerouted to alternate lines bypassing the Grand Central station stop.


• The explosion occurred in Manhattan's east side at 43rd Street and Lexington Avenue, near Grand Central Station.