Boom
Update at 4:38: we've set up a full post to aggregate these details. @erikimorton reports there was some kind of underground explosion in downtown Albany that caused a loud boom this afternoon -- smoke was coming out of utility holes near the SUNY Admin building. Firefighters were on the scene. Another pic from @bickersmith. Also report from @AndileeC of smoking utility hole at Washington and Swan. Update: WNYT reports that the fire department says the fire is out. Update: WTEN is reporting street closures downtown. Know what's up? Share, please. We have a call in with National Grid.
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Comments
Looks like you've scooped all of the local news outlets on this one... keep us posted!
... said James Cronen on Mar 9, 2009 at 3:51 PM | link
We haven't heard about it at the 'Cross, so hopefully it's nothing major.
... said Siobhan on Mar 9, 2009 at 3:54 PM | link
Holy crap! That's right behind us. We're 16 floors up, so probably didn't hear it, but I do recall sirens, but that's normal. Cool pic though!
... said Kari on Mar 9, 2009 at 3:54 PM | link
Another at/near the corner of Swan and Washington.
... said jmc on Mar 9, 2009 at 3:57 PM | link
Just heard it mentioned on WAMC, no word as to the cause though.
... said Dan on Mar 9, 2009 at 4:06 PM | link
i totally missed the noise due to headphones... encore! (just kidding)
... said bickersmith on Mar 9, 2009 at 4:32 PM | link
not near the suny admin building- it was the corner of washington and swan. i walked out of one commerce plaza and a manhole cover was on fire. about 10 minutes later, a 4 story fireball erupted from the ground. after that, there was smoke for a good 15 minutes then another explosion that i heard, but didn't see. all has been clear there for about an hour.
... said bill on Mar 9, 2009 at 4:36 PM | link
One blew right next to my office window here at System Administration, along with the one that blew about 50 feet away at the bottom of State and Broadway.
Scared the HECK out of us. We saw flames shoot out and it shot the covers up into the air about six feet up.
It shook the building...no small feat considering how large this old D&H building is.
... said seg on Mar 9, 2009 at 5:14 PM | link