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Manhole Fires Force NYCHA Evacuation in Williamsburg, Injuring Two

Investigators are examining the underground failure after firefighters contained the hourslong blaze.

Overview

  • FDNY detected rapidly rising carbon monoxide at 101 Humboldt Street around 3:30 a.m., prompting evacuation of the seven‑story Borinquen Plaza Houses building.
  • Two civilians were taken to a hospital for evaluation as firefighters battled flames that shot from manholes and ignited parked cars.
  • Officials escalated the incident to two alarms, deploying more than 140 first responders to the scene in Williamsburg.
  • Con Edison and National Grid crews remain on site to assess the cause, with officials noting the complex overlap of gas and electric infrastructure.
  • Displaced residents received assistance through three MTA warming buses, a NYCHA warming center, and support from the American Red Cross, while crews worked for hours to bring the fire under control.