Yourlawyer.com (New York City Steam Pipe Explosion News)

Con Edisons Own Bad Repairs at Fault in Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion, Report Says

Thu, 27 Dec 2007 00:00:00 -0800

Last summer’s Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion in New York City was the result of shoddy repairs performed by the utility company. A clump of sealant probably caused the deadly July 18th steam pipe explosion in midtown Manhattan, Consolidated Edison, said.   Con Ed spokesman Michael Clendenin said Wednesday that the clog came from epoxy resin injected into the pipe four months before the blast. The epoxy sealed a flange, or seam, connecting two segments of steel pipe and some epoxy got into a valve, leading to a buildup of pressure that ruptured the pipe. The condition, known as "water hammer," can result when water condenses in a closed section of pipe; the sudden mix of hot steam and cool water can make pressure surge. The findings drew a scathing response Thursday from City Councilman and Con Ed critic Eric Gioia, who noted the utility pointed at the city as potentially responsible for the blast.

In October Con Ed blamed city sewers, pipes and drains for leaking cold water onto the hot steam pipe and filed a $25 million notice of claim—the first step toward a lawsuit—against the city. "They'll do anything they can to deflect blame and avoid taking responsibility," Gioia said. "But now this report shows that Con Ed's poor maintenance contributed to this deadly explosion." There have been over a dozen steam pipe explosions in the city in the last 20 years.

The explosion occurred just before the 6 p.m. rush hour beneath a street near Grand Central Terminal—near 41st Street and Lexington Avenue—and shot a large, hot, rank stream of brownish steam several stories high, sending panicked workers and residents running. The cloud contained mud, rust-colored slime, and pieces of pavement. Officials reported one death and over 30 injuries, two of them critical; three firefighters and one police officer were among the injured. One woman died of a heart attack while fleeing and two in a tow truck that was thrown into the air and landed in the crater left by the explosion were badly burned.   

Debris slammed into nearby skyscrapers before it showered down on the streets for over two hours, raising concerns about asbestos—a known carcinogen for which most health officials say there is no safe exposure level—which was used when the pipe was laid in 1924. Michael S. Clendenin, a spokesman for the utility, said tests would be conducted for asbestos. “We always assume there’s asbestos in a steam pipe,” he said, “so we are treating these materials sent up by the rupture, including piping, as if asbestos were in them.” Within hours, Con Ed and the city’s Department of Environmental Protection took air and debris samples and subway entrances and exits were scheduled for testing.

Con Ed replaced all 1,654 similar valves in the steam system, finding no other epoxy clogs, Clendenin said adding that the utility was changing rules for fixing flange leaks. "We're learning from it, and we're taking corrective actions," he said of the findings.   A lawyer for the tow-truck victims was leery of the utility's reassurances that no similar danger lurked. "Are we supposed to take Con Ed's word for it?" attorney Kenneth Thompson said.  

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Victims Face Financial Hardship While Utility Executives Rake in Big Bucks

Tue, 04 Sep 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The Con Edison steam pipe explosion last July dealt a harsh financial blow to businesses forced to remain closed for many days after the blast. Yet even as Con Edison refuses to reimburse business owners for all of the losses they incurred as a result of the steam pipe explosion, executives at the utility are doing quite well for themselves.   According to a New York Daily News article, more than a half-dozen executives make more than $1 million dollars a year. And at least 40 others receive salaries that top $300,000 a year.

At the top of the list is Con Edison CEO Kevin Burke, who according to the Daily News makes a total of $4.7 million from his salary, stock awards, incentive offers and other benefits. And should Burke get fired, he can count on receiving $11.2 million in termination payments, and another $5.4 million in pension benefits.

Despite his extravagant salary, Burke could not even be bothered to show up at a New York City Council hearing in early August to discuss events surrounding the steam pipe explosion. Instead, Bill Longhi, senior vice president for central operations, was sent to answer City Council’s questions. Despite a $448,000 compensation package, Longhi was unable to provide Council with any answers as to why the steam pipe exploded.

And the perks of being a Con Edison executive don’t stop at salaries. According to the Daily News, Con Edison’s top brass receive a host of valuable benefits.   They include stock options, a company car, free financial planning and income tax advice. In the case of Burke, the incentives also include chauffeur service. This is amazingly generous, considering that the utility company was "forced" to cut funds for steam system maintenance from $23 million in 2004 to $10 million in 2006.

None of this could be comforting news to the business owners forced to close while Con Edison cleaned up its steam pipe mess in July.   The 84-year-old steam pipe that exploded was part of a network Con Edison used to heat and cool Manhattan buildings.   One person died as a result of the July 17 blast, and many others were injured.   Since the explosion, a host of questions have been raised regarding Con Edison’s maintenance of the steam pipe network.

Many businesses in the Lexington Avenue corridor sustained damages, and then suffered more financial losses while streets around the explosion site were closed for clean up.   Shortly after the explosion, a group of business owners held a news conference pleading with Con Edison to reimburse them for lost business. That request was repeated at the August City Council hearing.

But Con Edison has maintained that it will follow its usual policy of reimbursing customers for electrical disruptions. That policy pays for damaged good and equipment, but does not allow Con Edison to reimburse a business for financial losses. At the City Council hearing, Longhi reiterated the utilities reimbursement policy, claiming that no utility in the country pays for business losses.

As Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Probe Begins, Some Question Whether Utility Can Be Trusted To Investigate Itself

Fri, 24 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Con Edison will begin its probe today into the July 18 New York City steam pipe explosion that left 1 person dead and 40 others injured. The utility announced the start of its investigation at a news conference yesterday where the 20-inch ruptured pipe was put on display. But even as the investigation commenced, a lawyer representing victims of the blast raised doubts that Con Edison’s eventual findings could be trusted.

The pipe, part of a 105-mile network that Con Edison uses to heat and cool Manhattan buildings, had burst lengthwise. A 5 1/2-foot long gash ran along the side of the pipe. It was through this gash that a geyser of hot vapor, mud and asbestos shot hundreds of feet into the air on the day of the blast. Con Edison said that the news conference would be the last time the pipe would be displayed publicly.

Con Edison has hired the engineering firm Lucius Pitkin to head the investigation into the steam pipe explosion. At the news conference, Ronald Bozgo, vice president for steam pipe operations at Con Edison said that it was obvious something extraordinary had occurred when the pipe exploded. “Steam pipes don’t typically burst,” Bozgo said. “You never see anything as violent as this.”

Bozgo said that the investigation into the blast would involve several facets. Ultrasound equipment will be used to test both the pipe and the steam trap under the street. Other studies will use computer generated images to compare the blast crater to the site prior to the explosion. Bozgo said that it will be several months before the cause of the explosion is known.

But not everyone trusts Con Edison to do a thorough investigation of the steam pipe explosion. Kenneth Thompson, a lawyer representing two people burned during the explosion attended yesterday’s news conference. Thompson told the New York Times that he fears the utility will try to blame the blast on a leaking water main owned by the city. According to the New York Times, parts of that water main were shown to Thompson and others prior to the news conference, but removed before the media was admitted.

Thompson represents George McCullough, 21, and Judith Baily, 30. Both were injured after the tow truck they were in was swallowed up by the crater created when the steam pipe exploded. McCullough suffered burns over 80-percent of his body. Baily was burned over 30-percent of her body. McCullough’s family and Baily sued Con Edison for the injuries they sustained in the steam pipe explosion. Already, McCullough’s medical bills have exceeded $1 million. The lawsuit alleges that Con Edison did not properly maintain its network of steam pipes that run under Manhattan. At least three other lawsuits have been filed as a result of the explosion.

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Investigation Should Be Monitored, Says Victim's Family

Thu, 16 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The family of a badly burned man says that Con Edison cannot be trusted to investigate last month’s steam pipe explosion in New York City. They are asking that an independent monitor oversee the company’s inquiry into the July 18 blast that killed one person and injured many others.

George McCullough, 21, was injured after the tow truck he was driving was swallowed up by the crater created when the 84-year-old Con Edison steam pipe exploded. McCullough’s truck was enveloped in a geyser of 200-degree vapor, and he suffered third degree burns over 80-percent of his body. At this time, McCullough is in a medically induced coma to ease his pain. He has undergone surgery to remove dead skin, and doctors may have to amputate his limbs.

A passenger in the truck, Judith Baily, 30, was burned over 30-percent of her body. She was released from the hospital last week.

McCullough’s family and Baily sued Con Edison for the injuries they sustained in the steam pipe explosion. Already, McCullough’s medical bills have exceeded $1 million. The lawsuit alleges that Con Edison did not properly maintain its network of steam pipes that run under Manhattan. At least three other lawsuits have been filed as a result of the explosion.

Con Edison has hired an engineering firm to investigate the explosion. But Ken Thompson, a lawyer representing McCullough’s mother, told the Associated Press that any firm paid by the company should raise suspicions. Last week, a judge granted Thompson’s request to temporarily halt the dismantling and testing of equipment at the site. Thompson said that the restraining order is meant to keep Con Edison from destroying evidence.

Through a spokesperson, Con Edison told the Associated Press that the utility is doing everything it can to assure that it gets to the bottom of the steam pipe explosion. The spokesperson said that Con Edison’s investigation will be “comprehensive and thorough”.

The Con Edison steam pipe exploded at 5:47 p.m. at East 41st and Lexington Avenue. Forty people were injured in the blast, and one person died of a heart attack while fleeing the scene. The explosion left several city blocks closed for days. The pipe that ruptured was part of 105-mile network that Con Edison uses to heat and cool Manhattan buildings. Some of the pipes in that system are as much as 100 years old.

The pipes in the Con Edison system have a history of trouble. The McCullough lawsuit alleges that 12 steam pipes have exploded since 1987. In 1989, a Con Edison steam pipe blast in Gramercy Park killed three people and contaminated the neighborhood with asbestos. Con Edison ended up paying more than $50 million dollars to settle claims relating to that explosion.

Con Edison Has Few Answers in Steam Pipe Explosion

Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A discussion over last month’s Con Edison steam pipe explosion in New York City turned heated at times during a hearing of the City Council’ Committee on Consumer Affairs. Council members expressed disappointment, and sometimes anger, as a representative from the utility was unable to answer many of their questions.

William Longhi, a senior vice president at Con Edison, told the assembled council members that it would be at least two months before the company would be able to say what caused the July 18 explosion. The Con Edison steam pipe explosion left one woman dead from a heart attack, and many more people injured. Businesses in the area were damaged, and many had to close while clean-up of the explosion site took place. Some establishments in the area were only able to open this week.

Longhi’s refusal to speculate on the cause of the steam pipe explosion angered some council members. Daniel Garodnick, whose district includes Lexington Avenue and 41st Street where the blast occurred, was frustrated that Longhi did not have answers to questions City Council had sent Con Edison when it first scheduled the meeting. In fact, Garodnick had to ask Longhi several times what the average age of steam pipes where in New York City. Longhi finally answered that most were 54 years old, but that others were closer to 100 years old. The steam pipe that burst on July 18 was 84 years old.

Other council members expressed dismay that Kevin Burke, CEO of Con Edison, did not attend the hearing. Longhi said that he was chosen to address city council because he had more technical expertise. That answer did not satisfy the council, with one member terming Burke’s absence a “slap in the face”.

Another council member, Peter Vallone, Jr. asked Longhi if the utility would be paying business owners for lost revenues in addition to damages. Business owners in the area have lost millions as a result of the steam pipe explosion, and held a news conference last month pleading with Con Edison to help them recover their losses. But if the council meeting was any indication, those owners should not count on much from Con Edison. Longhi said that no utility in the country reimbursed businesses for lost revenue.

In other developments, a tow truck driver and his passenger have sued Con Edison for the injuries they sustained in the steam pipe explosion. George McCullough, 21, and Judith Bailey, 30, were in the tow truck when it was swallowed up by the crater formed during the blast. Both were engulfed in 200-degree vapor that left them with severe burns. McCullough suffered third degree burns to 80-percent of his body and is in a medically induced coma to control his pain. Already, McCullough’s medical bills have exceeded $1 million. Bailey, the single mother of two children, was burned over 30 percent of her body. She is expected to be released from the hospital this week.

Their lawsuit seeks unspecified damages, and accuses Con Edison of failing to maintain the 105-year-old steam pipe network that was responsible for the explosion. The complaint calls the network, which Con Edison uses to heat and cool Manhattan buildings, a “ticking time bomb” and alleges that 12 steam pipes in the system have exploded since 1987.

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Burn Victims Mother Wants Answers from the NYC Utility

Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

The mother of a man seriously burned by the Con Edison steam pipe explosion in New York City says that she holds the utility responsible for his injuries. Gregory McCullough, 21, was in his tow truck when it was swallowed up by the crater created by the steam pipe blast. The 200-degree vapor that enveloped him as the result of the Con Ed steam pipe explosion burned over 80-percent of his body.

At a news conference yesterday, Tanya McCullough-Stewart said that her son was more than a tow truck driver. She said that before the Con Edison steam pipe exploded on July 18 her son had been full of life. McCullough was a student at New York City Technical College, a member of the Marine Cadet Program, worked as an intern at a local TV station and attended church on Sundays with his family. Today, McCullough is a patient at the New York Presbyterian-Weill Cornell Medical Center burn unit, where he lays in a medically induced coma to control his pain. McCullough has already undergone several surgeries, and will need many more. His mother said doctors have told her that her son could be in the coma for several months because of the burns he sustained from the steam pipe vapors.

At the news conference, McCullough-Stewart and her lawyer announced their plans to sue Con Edison on Gregory McCullough’s behalf. McCullough’s mother said she believe that Con Edison’s shoddy maintenance of the steam pipe network under Manhattan allowed the explosion to occur. She made an urgent plea to any New Yorkers who witnessed the explosion or saw Con Edison workers at the site prior to the blast to contact her attorney. McCullough-Stewart said that her son’s medical bills have already topped $1 million dollars, and she has no idea how her family will pay for his long-term recovery. Doctors do not yet have a prognosis for McCullough, but his mother said they hope to know more this week.

Another passenger in the tow truck, Judith Bailey, 31, was also injured in the explosion. The mother of two little girls suffered burns to 30-percent of her body, but is improving.

Also attending the news conference was Junior Suarez, 20, the man McCullough-Stewart credits with saving her son’s life. Suarez encountered McCullough outside his building after Suarez was evacuated. Suarez said that McCullough was screaming in obvious pain, and as he tried to help, he noticed that his skin had burned off.

The July 18 explosion occurred when a 24-inch steam pipe burst. The pipe was part of an underground network used by Con Edison to heat and cool Manhattan buildings. The resulting explosion sent hot vapor and asbestos-laden debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the explosion, and as many as 40 people were injured.

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Victims to Get Federal Help

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Those hardest hit by the Con Edison steam pipe explosion in New York City will be getting some help from the federal government. Meanwhile, a dentist has filed a second lawsuit against Con Edison, and the utility company has agreed to allow two insurance companies that expect to be inundated with explosion-related claims to observe cleanup of the blast site.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) will make disaster loans available to businesses impacted by the July 18 explosion and subsequent road closures. Businesses can apply for low-interest SBA loans up to $1.5 million to replace or repair their establishments, equipment and inventory. The money can also be used to cover the cost of improvements designed to protect a business against future similar events. Homeowners in the area can apply for loans up to $200,000 to pay for repairs to real estate and $40,000 to replace or repair damaged possessions.

The Con Edison explosion affected at least 1,000 businesses in one of the country’s most expensive business corridors. Many stores and restaurants remained closed for several days, and owners estimated that losses would total hundreds of millions of dollars. Last week, a coalition of small business owners affected by the blast held a news conference demanding that Con Edison reimburse them for lost business.

Meanwhile, Con Edison announced last week that it had reached an agreement with Travelers Indemnity Company and Allianz Global Risk U.S. Insurance to allow their inspectors to monitor site cleanup. The companies, which said they anticipate paying out millions in damage claims as a result of the pipe rupture, had filed a court petition to force Con Edison to preserve evidence from the blast. In the petition, the insurance companies claimed that it was not in the public’s best interest to allow “potentially culpable parties in future possible litigation” to have sole control over the explosion site.

Finally, a New York City “celebrity” dentist filed suit against Con Edison last Thursday. Dr. Bruce Haber, whose office is on the 25th floor of a building near the explosion, had to close his office for several days. Dr. Haber is seeking $25 million in damages from Con Edison to cover the business he lost as a result of the pipe explosion. This lawsuit follows one filed earlier in the week by Francine Dorf. Dorf, who worked in a building next to the blast, claims that she is suffering from post-traumatic stress as a result of the disaster.

The July 18 explosion occurred when a 24-inch steam pipe burst. The resulting explosion sent hot vapor and debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the explosion, and as many as 40 people were injured.

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion in New York City Brings Lawsuits

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A woman who worked near the site of last week’s Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion in New York City has filed a lawsuit against Con Ed over the incident. Francis Dorf’s attorney said that his client, a 52-year-old legal secretary, had a sister who perished in the September 11th terrorist attacks. Last week’s explosion only served to exacerbate the post-traumatic stress disorder that has plagued Dorf since her sister’s death.

The lawsuit accuses Con Edison of negligence. Dorf claims that the utility company did not properly maintain the steam pipes buried beneath the street outside of her office. Con Edison owned the 84-year-old pipe that exploded last Wednesday. It was part of an extensive network that the company uses to heat and cool Manhattan buildings.

Con Edison has admitted that a leak in one of the steam mains near where the explosion occurred had been repaired in March, while work on another leak several yards away was completed at the end of June. Con Edison said that the pipes had been inspected just seven hours prior to the explosion, but that workers found no problems. At this time, the cause of the explosion has not been determined. Dorf’s attorney said that it is his client’s hope that the lawsuit will spur Con Edison to improve the maintenance of its infrastructure.

Dorf’s sister, Maria La Vache, was working on the 99th floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower when it was attacked on September 11th. Her body was never recovered. Dorf has been coping with post-traumatic stress since then. During last week’s steam pipe explosion, Dorf said she called several family members to say goodbye. Since the incident, her stress disorder has gotten worse. Dorf has been unable to work, sleep or eat; and since the blast, she has been haunted by thoughts of her sister’s ordeal on 9/11.

Dorf’s description of her experience during the explosion is similar to that of many other New Yorkers’ in the vicinity of the blast. Media reports have quoted witnesses who said they feared that the city was once again under attack. Scenes of debris-covered commuters fleeing the site of the explosion also reminded many of the September 11th attacks.

Last Wednesday’s explosion occurred when a 24-inch steam pipe burst. The resulting explosion sent hot vapor and asbestos-laden debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the ex

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion has Small Businesses Asking the Utility to Pay Up

Wed, 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Business owners affected by last week’s Con Edison steam pipe explosion in New York City are demanding that the utility reimburse them for business lost as a result of the blast. But it looks like these businesses are in for a fight, because while Con Edison said it will reimburse them for goods, equipment and fixtures damaged as a result of the steam pipe explosion, it has no obligation to pay for business losses.

At a news conference yesterday, several business owners worried that they might not be able to recover financially without more help from Con Edison. The manager of a hair salon and spa on Lexington Avenue said that his business lost more than $50,000 because it was forced to close for several days following the explosion. Other business owners told much the same story.

The group said they placed responsibility for the blast on Con Edison, the owner of the 105-mile steam pipe network that held the ruptured pipe. They say that the company failed to properly maintain the pipes, and that is why the 84-year-old steam main ruptured last Wednesday. City Councilman Daniel Garodnick, who also attended the news conference, said that according to a Public Service Commission document, Con Edison had cut funds for steam system maintenance from $23 million in 2004 to $10 million in 2006.

Con Edison has maintained that it will follow its usual policy of reimbursing customers for electrical disruptions. That policy does not allow the company to reimburse a business for financial losses. Con Edison’s own lawyers will be responsible for determining how much reimbursement money a customer is entitled to. Some at the news conference were wary that the company’s lawyers would treat them fairly, and they did not agree with Con Edison’s assertion that Wednesday’s blast was a simple “electrical disruption”.

New York’s City Council has asked Con Edison representatives to meet with them on August 7th. They want to address the utility’s maintenance issues, as well as its reimbursement policy.

Meanwhile, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Govern Eliot Spitzer announced that they have requested a disaster declaration from the federal Small Business Administration. If the declaration is approved, low interest loans will be available to help businesses make repairs and replace inventory.

Last Wednesday’s explosion occurred when a 24-inch steam pipe burst. The resulting explosion sent hot vapor and debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the explosion, and as many as 40 people were injured.

Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion to Cost Small Businesses Millions

Mon, 23 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Clean up from last week's massive New York City steam pipe explosion could take much of the week, a situation that has many small business owners worried. Many shops and restaurants in the area have been closed since the explosion, resulting in serious financial losses. If streets around the ruptured steam pipe do not open soon, those lost revenues will reach into the millions of dollars.

Last Wednesday’s explosion occurred when a 24-inch steam pipe burst. The resulting explosion sent hot vapor and asbestos-laden debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the explosion, and as many as 40 people were injured. Since then, several city blocks have been cordoned off as the area is cleaned up and the explosion is investigated. The “frozen zone” encompasses one of the most expensive commercial corridors in the country. According to the New York City Department of Small Business Services, as many as 125 ground-level retailers are affected by the closure. A half dozen office buildings in the frozen zone were still empty as of Friday, as many had windows blown out during the blast, and some lacked phone service.

The city says it is working to reopen streets as quickly as possible. By Monday, the north side of 42nd Street, as well as Lexington Avenue between 42nd and 43rd Streets, had been reopened to pedestrians and business owners. However, the streets are still closed to vehicles. As of now, the area from the north side of 40th Street down to the southern end of 42nd Street is still closed, as are blocks from the eastern edge of Park Avenue to the western edge of Third Avenue. While some businesses on the newly-reopened streets are operating, owners say that they are only seeing a fraction of the customers they would normally have on a typical Monday.

During his weekend radio show, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed concern that businesses affected by the explosion would suffer financial hardships. The city is setting up a small business loan program to provide no-interest loans to small businesses in the frozen zone. The Mayor also said that the city had asked for federal help from the Small Business Administration.

Con Edison, which owned the 84-year -old pipe, still does not know what caused last week’s blast. The pipe in question is part of a 105-mile steam pipe network used to heat and cool Manhattan buildings. Con Edison said that a leak in one of the steam mains near where the explosion occurred had been repaired in March, while work on another leak several yards away was completed at the end of June. Con Edison said that the pipes had been inspected just seven hours prior to the explosion, but that workers found no problems. Contrary to Con Edison’s assertions, several people who work in the area have told various media outlets that for several weeks prior to the blast, large amounts of steam had been rising up from the ground where the explosion occurred. Con Edison said that it was too early to tell if any of the recent repairs were linked to the blast.

Con Edison Says Steam Pipe Involved in New York City Explosion Repaired in March, Inspected Morning of Blast

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Wednesday’s violent New York City steam pipe explosion has raised questions regarding Con Edison’s maintenance of the pipe network that runs under the city. And apparently, the steam pipes under 41st Street and Lexington Avenue, the site the massive underground explosion, had been the subject of concern for some time. According to a New York Times report, a leaking steam main under the street had been repaired this past March, and the pipe had been inspected only seven hours before it ruptured. Con Edison characterized the March leak as minor, and said it could not yet say whether the repair played any part in the blast.

Wednesday’s explosion occurred when a 24-inch Con Edison steam pipe burst. New York City officials have said they suspected that cold water from recent heavy rains had collected around the pipe, causing the steam inside to condense. The building pressure inside the pipe caused it to burst, sending hot vapor and asbestos-laden debris hundreds of feet into the air. One woman died as a result of the explosion, and as many as 40 people were injured.

The pipe was part a 105-mile long network that Con Edison uses to heat and cool Manhattan buildings. On March 14, Con Edison made repairs to a joint in the pipe where water had been leaking. Con Edison also said that the pipe was inspected on June 8th and then again Wednesday morning. But the New York Times said that often “inspection” means that a Con Edison worker merely checks a street for signs of rising steam.

Con Edison said that Wednesday’s inspection was prompted by the heavy rain, but that its crew saw no reason for concern. That report contradicts what many witnesses told the New York Times. One business owner told the paper that prior to the blast, so much steam was rising from the street that she could not even see people crossing.

Con Edison will not be able to inspect the ruptured pipe until clean up around the site is completed. The city is still maintaining a “frozen zone” around the blast area while the cleanup continues. Because the debris was riddled with asbestos, the recovery effort is proceeding slowly. The city said it hopes to have some of the streets reopened today, but the blast site itself will remain inaccessible for several more days.

The pipe rupture has caused many to call into question the quality of New York City’s aging infrastructure. Like many cities, much of New York’s infrastructure dates to the early 20th century, and is in need of repair. But Con Edison maintains that this should not have been an issue with the 84-year-old steam pipe because many pipes in the network are much older, and have no history of failure. Since a similar explosion of a cast iron pipe in 1989 killed three people, Con Edison has replaced all cast iron in the system with steel pipes and replaced more than 200 aging pipe joints

New York City Rocked by Underground Steam Pipe Explosion. One Dead More than 30 Injured, Four Critically

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

A steam pipe used by Con Edison in New York City violently exploded yesterday, injuring more than 30 people, and leaving one dead. The force of the explosion in Manhattan left a 25-foot crater in the NYC street and sent a giant plume of steam and debris hundreds of feet into the air.

The blast occurred at 5:47 p.m. at East 41st and Lexington Avenue. Mayor Michael Bloomberg promptly announced that New York City was not under terrorist attack, saying instead that an aging steam pipe had exploded underground. The Mayor characterized the blast as a “failure of our infrastructure”. The pipe, which was installed in the NYC street in 1924, could have exploded as a result of cold water collecting around it. The 24-inch pipe is part of a network used by the Con Edison Steam Business Unit to provide heat to 1,800 buildings in Manhattan. New York City has had heavy rain recently, and if cold water collected around the pipe, it could have created a “vapor condition”, causing the steam inside to condense. Eventually the pressure inside the pipe would have caused the steam pipe to explode. Con Edison said that the pipe involved in this incident had been inspected six weeks ago.

Of the 30 people injured in the blast, three were NYC firefighters and one was a police officer. One person died as the result of cardiac arrest. Sixteen people where taken to Bellevue Hospital Center. Two of those patients were being treated in the hospital’s trauma unit, but the rest were released. Two people are in critical condition at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical. One of those patients included a tow truck drive whose truck was swallowed up by the crater created in the blast. He is being treated for severe burns.

The explosion hit at the height of rush hour near Grand Central Terminal, creating chaos throughout Manhattan. The area around the blast was covered with ash, soot and mud. That, coupled with the sight of commuters fleeing the scene of the explosion, reminded many witnesses of the 9/11 attacks.

New York City officials have imposed a “frozen zone” closed to traffic from 40th Street to 43rd Street and from Vanderbilt Avenue to Third Avenue to investigate the explosion. The city is also concerned that asbestos could have been discharged during the explosion. They were awaiting test results for air and debris samples, but in the meantime they have urged anyone who had contact with debris to wash with soap and water. Clothes that were covered in soot should be stored separately in a plastic bag. Anyone inside buildings near the blast site should keep windows closed and switch their air-conditioners to re-circulate the air.

Subway service in the city has also been disrupted due to major problems on the Lexington Avenue Line. Officials have not said when full service will be restored.

Asbestos Found in New York City Steam Pipe Explosion Debris

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

Asbestos has been found in the debris left behind from the New York City Con Edison steam pipe explosion that rocked Manhattan yesterday. Officials for the city’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) said in a press release that more than half of the debris samples taken from the site of the steam pipe explosion came back positive for the toxic substance Asbestos. Air samples taken at the same time showed no asbestos in the air around the site. Officials believe that because the explosion occurred in a wet environment, the dust settled quickly, leaving the air safe to breath.

Despite the clean air findings, the asbestos in the debris is still dangerous. Therefore, the city will continue to enforce a “frozen zone” between 40th Street and 43rd Street, and between Vanderbilt and Third Avenues. While people already in the frozen zone will be permitted to stay, no one will be allowed to enter the area while clean up is taking place. The city said it would shrink the closed off area as the clean up progresses.

The explosion occurred at the height of rush hour yesterday at 41st and Lexington Avenue. More than 30 people were injured, and one died from a heart attack. The blast sprayed 200-degree water vapor and debris hundreds of feet into the air, and left a 25-foot crater in the street. The OEM press release warned that the crater could widen, as the street is in danger of further collapse.

Asbestos is a fibrous, silicate material often used in insulation. Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to respiratory ailments like lung cancer and Mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lungs almost always linked to asbestos exposure. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most uses of asbestos, but it is still found as insulation in older pipes and buildings. The steam pipe involved in yesterday’s explosion was 84 years old.

The OEM press release said that people near the blast should be safe because their exposure to the asbestos occurred for a short time. Nevertheless, the city is still urging anyone who was near the explosion to take precautions, including showering with soap and water, and placing any clothing they wore at the time in a plastic bag for cleaning or disposal. People inside the frozen zone should keep windows shut, and set their air conditioners to a setting that does not draw in outside air.

Yesterday’s explosion most likely occurred when cold water from recent rains collected around the pipe. This would have caused the steam inside to condense, eventually building up pressure that caused the pipe to explode. The steam pipe is part of a network used by Con Edison to heat buildings in Manhattan. A similar pipe explosion ripped through Gramercy Park in 1989, killing three people. That explosion also sent debris laden with asbestos into the air. However, Con Edison concealed that for days, allowing many people to be exposed to asbestos.

New York City Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion Lawyer

Thu, 19 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0700

New York City Con Edison Steam Pipe Explosion

A steam pipe used by Con Edison in New York City violently exploded on July 18, 2007, injuring more than 30 people, and leaving one dead. The force of the explosion left a huge hole in the street and sent a giant plume of 200-degree steam and debris hundreds of feet into the air.

The blast occurred at 5:47 p.m. at East 41st and Lexington Avenue. Mayor Michael Bloomberg promptly announced that New York City was not under terrorist attack, saying instead that an aging steam pipe had exploded underground. The Mayor characterized the blast as a “failure of our infrastructure”. The pipe, which was installed in the NYC street in 1924, could have exploded as a result of cold water collecting around it. The 24-inch pipe was part of a network used by the Con Edison Steam Business Unit to provide heat to 1,800 buildings in Manhattan. New York City had been having heavy rain prior to the explosion, and if cold water collected around the pipe, it could have created a “vapor condition”, causing the steam inside to condense. Eventually the pressure inside the pipe would have caused an explosion. Con Edison said that the pipe involved in this incident had been inspected six weeks ago.

On July 19, the New York City Office of Emergency Management (OEM) announced that debris from the explosion had tested positive for the presence of asbestos. Long-term exposure to asbestos can lead to respiratory ailments like lung cancer and Mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the lungs almost always linked to asbestos exposure. In 1989, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned most uses of asbestos, but it is still found as insulation in older pipes and buildings. The steam pipe involved in yesterday’s explosion was 84 years old.

While no asbestos was found in tests of air taken around the blast site, the OEM still urged people to take precautions. The city enforced a “frozen zone” between 40th Street and 43rd Street, and between Vanderbilt and Third Avenues. While people already in the frozen were permitted to stay, no was be allowed to enter the area while clean up took place. The OEM cautioned anyone who was near the explosion to take precautions, including showering with soap and water, and placing any clothing they wore at the time in a plastic bag for cleaning or disposal. People inside the frozen zone were told to keep windows shut, and set their air conditioners to a setting that would not bring in outside air.