Underground Electrical Fire Spews Smoke Across Avenue Z, Near East 14th Street

Morning commuters were treated to a view of a plume of smoke rising out of a grate and stretching across Avenue Z today, after an underground utility box owned by Con Edison burst into flames.

The fire broke out at approximately 8:00am this morning. Con Edison confirmed the fire, adding that it caused no power outages in the area. The fire is believed to be caused by snow runoff saturated with salt entering their electrical system, a common cause of manhole and underground electrical fires during the winter.

The fire was small, but still burning by 11am when Con Edison workers were on the scene to make repairs.

“I’ve never smelled one burn so good, being near the Halal cart,” one worker joked.

Our tipster Eric caught video of the fire.

“Police blocked the road while [the grate] was spewing plumes of smoke and making banging noises almost like mini explosions,” he said.

http://youtu.be/zvIKkqsGLZM

We reached out to the FDNY for more information but have not yet heard back.

Con Edison is reminding neighbors to call 911 immediately if they see smoke or hear popping noises coming from a grate or manhole.