Fire Reignites, Crews Return To North Ave Manhole Explosion

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — An early morning underground explosion and fire in front of the New Rochelle Police Department station on North Avenue kept fire crews busy Friday morning.

There were no injuries reported, despite the evidence of a forceful explosion just before the morning rush hour.

Con Edison did not report any utility disruptions in the area, even as crews returned to the scene later in the morning when the flames reignited.

Smoke could be seen floating out of the manhole on the sidewalk in front of the police station, according to a report from CBS2 News New York.

The fire department told the television station it was called to the scene just before 6 a.m. Firefighters put out the fire, but were then called back shortly before 8 a.m., after the fire broke out again.

North Avenue was briefly closed in both direction near the explosion this morning while crews worked to extinguish the initial blaze, according to News 12 Westchester. Lanes were restricted through the morning and early afternoon. Con Edison officials told the news outlet that it is believed that an electrical short likely sparked the blaze.