MANHATTAN – Hundreds of Upper East Siders have no power and no air conditioning on one of the hottest nights of the year after a manhole fire at the corner of East 77th Street and Second Avenue around 9pm Monday.
Firefighters reportedly had to rescue residents trapped inside stuck elevators after the underground flames knocked out power to nine buildings in the area surrounding the scene of the manhole fire.
Con Edison is reporting just under 300 customers affected and around the block several buildings were plunged into darkness, the residents waiting outside hoping for a cool breeze and a quick restoration of electric by Con Ed crews.
Restaurants were also dark and empty along Second Avenue as staff watched the commotion steps from their door–the sushi at Ollie’s To-go on east 77th St. likely needing to be tossed.
Cars precariously creeped through the intersection where the traffic signal no longer worked as a stream of neighbors passed by looking to find out what was going on.
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At this point it’s not clear if the fire and outages are related to the unrelenting heat gripping the city right now, but it’s a question on the minds of many neighbors tonight.
Power was restored early Tuesday Morning. Thankfully no injuries were reported in the fire or in the subsequent power outage.
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