What to Know
- Nine buildings in Flatiron have been OK'd for reoccupancy after last week's steam pipe explosion forced an evacuation of nearly 50 buildings
- The "hot zone" around the area has also shrunk; 18th, 19th and 22nd streets are now open again
- A cause of the explosion is under investigation; it comes almost 11 years to the day of a pipe blast near Grand Central that hurt dozens
Two buildings remain closed a week and a half after a massive steam pipe explosion in the Flatiron District, officials said.
After the July 19 explosion, 45 buildings were closed and assessed for asbestos contamination. Thirty-nine of those are completely open and four more are partially open, according to the city's Emergency Management Department.
The "hot zone" around the explosion site has also been further reduced. Now it includes the following streets:
- 21st Street between 6th Avenue and Broadway is closed to vehicular traffic. Only the south side of 21st Street is open to pedestrians.
- 21st Street between 6th Avenue and 5th Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic but is open to pedestrians.
- 21st Street between 5th Avenue and Broadway is closed to all traffic.
A reception area for affected residents remains open at the Clinton School at 10 East 15th St. from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m.
At least five people suffered what officials called minor injuries.
The blast came almost exactly 11 years to the day of an 83-year-old steam pipe explosion near Grand Central. That shot debris 40 stories in the air, raining mud on midtown, after authorities said the pipe failed.
