'Explosion' Sound On Upper East Side Caused By Con Ed Steam Release

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A loud, booming noise emanating Tuesday night from a Con Edison facility on East 75th Street and York Avenue had some Upper East Siders worried about an explosion in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood residents took to Twitter to share videos of the loud noise and express their concern for others in the area. Many residents were also able to capture images of a pillar of smoke coming from the Con Edison facility.

But after area residents sounded the alarm on social media, the utility company and the local police precinct determine the noise was a harmless byproduct of a massive steam release.

"If you're hearing loud 'explosion' sounds please don't panic. Con Edison is safely releasing steam on York Ave." the NYPD's 19th precinct said in an advisory around 8 p.m. Tuesday night.

Around 310 pounds of highly pressurized steam was released from the facility after a defective steam valve triggered a failsafe, Con Edison told Eyewitness News. Con Ed crews had the problem under control by 10 p.m. and relative peace and quiet returned to the neighborhood.

Photo by Patch