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Video: Explosive Garbage Fire Causes Scare In Manhattan Subway Station


By

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 13, 2019


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103rd Street station

Eric Konon


By

Ben Yakas

Published Dec 13, 2019


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A fiery explosion on a subway platform caused a scare for straphangers this week.

A police spokesperson said the incident happened around 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the 103rd Street station in the Manhattan Valley area. They say that three shopping carts were set on fire on the south end of the southbound 1 platform. You can see video of the fire below, including an explosion, as viewed from a passing train.

FDNY contained the fire at the scene, and no one was injured. An FDNY spokesperson said that the explosion was likely caused by cans of aerosol spray that were in the carts.

The explosion and subsequent investigation caused several delays on the 1 that day. Straphangers tweeted at the time about being stuck in the tunnel and hearing the explosion, or being evacuated from the station.

No arrests have been made, and cops add that they are investigating the incident as criminal mischief.

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we the commuters

Upper West Side

manhattan valley

fire

subway station

subway

explosion


Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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