NYC Explosion: Ball Of Flames Engulfs Chelsea Building

by amyellensoden | February 11, 2010 at 02:05 pm

352 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

A NYC explosion in the Chelsea area of New York left a Radio Shack store in flames after a transformer exploded. Local businesses Bally's Total Fitness Club, Apex Technical School, and a Papyrus stationary store were also damaged in the NYC explosion. The explosion occurred in an older building on 6th Avenue and 20th Street in Chelsea.

The NYC explosion occurred at the Simpson, Crawford & Simpson building due to a transformer under the sidewalk catching fire in front of the historic building. The underground electrical transformer reportedly malfunctioned, caught fire, and caused the explosion.

The NYC explosion occurred in a building built in the beginning of the 20th century in Beaux Arts style. The LA Times reports Elisabeth de Bourbon, spokesperson for NYC Landmarks Preservation Committee, said the Simpson, Crawford & Simpson building, “is an incredibly important building historically and architecturally.”

The NYC explosion is still being investigated and road closures are now in effect with the M5, M6, and M7 bus routes being diverted until further notice. The Simpson, Crawford & Simpson building is being searched by rescuers. An eyewitness reports that balls of flame shot up in front of the building from a manhole as the explosion occurred.

The explosion reached as far as three stories high, leaving seven floors' windows shattered in the explosion. There is currently no indication that the NYC explosion was a hostile or terrorist attack. Approximately 100 people were evacuated from the building, none of whom have suffered injuries.