A steam pipe burst in New York City's Flatiron district Thursday morning, causing smoke to engulf the area and roads to be shut down. The explosion left a hole in the middle of Fifth Avenue near 21st Street, NBC New York reported.
The pipe that burst was 86 years old, according to NBC. There were not yet any reports of injuries at the scene, though a number of streets were shut down and subways were rerouted away from the area. There were also concerns about potential asbestos contamination, The New York Times reported. Anyone nearby the pipe explosion was urged to take a shower and change and wash their clothing.
New York City Police said those in the area should expect to see emergency vehicles Thursday. Photos from the scene showed smoke billowing out from a hole in the ground.
"A miracle no one was hurt from the steam pipe explosion," City Council Speaker Corey Johnson wrote on Twitter.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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