Manhole fire triggers outage/Upper East Site
Manhole fire triggers outage/Upper East Site

Manhole Fire Plunges UES Buildings into Darkness During Heat Wave

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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. 

Buildings go dark amid power outage/Upper East Site
Buildings go dark amid power outage/Upper East Site

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.

Ollies To-Go plunges into darkness/Upper East Site
Ollies To-Go plunges into darkness/Upper East Site

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.

ALSO READ: Flying Shrapnel Nearly Strikes FOX5 News Crew on the UES

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. 

ConEd crews work to restore power
ConEd crews work to restore power/Upper East Site

Power was restored early Tuesday Morning. Thankfully no injuries were reported in the fire or in the subsequent power outage. 

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