If you've never seen what an exploding manhole looks like, WABC 7 has footage of a Friday afternoon incident in Sunset Park. It looks spooky, with flame shooting from manhole and puffs of black smoke. And the smoke is dangerous, because it contains carbon monoxide.
WABC 7 reported that firefighters found two people in a basement who were "overcome" by the carbon monoxide. The FDNY also evacuated residents from 55th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. The block also lost its power temporarily, but residents told WABC 7 they understood; one said, "It's a little bit inconvenient but it's for our safety ... let them do their job, get it cleaned up so we can go back home."
How Stuff Works on why manholes explode (shorting cables are a big part). In 2004, a woman was tattooed by a super hot manhole cover. Con Ed suggests you call 911 if you see a smoking or exploding manhole (PDF). And here are pictures from an East Village manhole fire in 2005.
