Hazmat teams scrub sidewalks, hose down Flatiron buildings to wash away asbestos following steam pipe explosion

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Saturday, July 21, 2018
CeFaan Kim has more on the cleanup from the steampipe explosion in the Flatiron District.
FLATIRON DISTRICT, Manhattan (WABC) -- The Flatiron District is always congested, but since Thursday's steam pipe explosion, it has become a nightmare.

Cleanup crews decked out in hazmat suits scrubbed sidewalks and hosed down buildings in the hot zone in order to wash away dangerous asbestos that spewed into the air. It is a slow and painstaking process with 49 buildings in the area affected.



Homes, offices and small businesses were evacuated for a third day. The evacuations have had an impact on hundreds of workers and residents.

PHOTOS from the moments after the blast
It was a dramatic scene after a steam pipe exploded in Manhattan's Flatiron District on July 19, 2018, sending thick clouds of steam shooting into the air.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the large crater created by the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
It was a dramatic scene after a steam pipe exploded in Manhattan's Flatiron District on July 19, 2018, sending thick clouds of steam shooting into the air.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the decontamination center set up in the aftermath of the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the decontamination center set up in the aftermath of the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the decontamination center set up in the aftermath of the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the large crater created by the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
NewsCopter7 was over the large crater created by the steam pipe explosion in Flatiron on July 19, 2018.WABC
It was a dramatic scene after a steam pipe exploded in Manhattan's Flatiron District on July 19, 2018, sending thick clouds of steam shooting into the air.WABC
It was a dramatic scene after a steam pipe exploded in Manhattan's Flatiron District on July 19, 2018, sending thick clouds of steam shooting into the air.WABC
It was a dramatic scene after a steam pipe exploded in Manhattan's Flatiron District on July 19, 2018, sending thick clouds of steam shooting into the air.WABC
Steam explosion in Flatiron on Thursday, July 19, 2018. Photo by @patkeenan52 via Twitter.none
A steam pipe explosion in Manhattan's Flatiron District closed streets, forced evacuations and sent a huge plume of steam high into the air on July 19, 2018.WABC
A steam pipe explosion in Manhattan's Flatiron District closed streets, forced evacuations and sent a huge plume of steam high into the air on July 19, 2018.WABC
A steam pipe explosion in Manhattan's Flatiron District closed streets, forced evacuations and sent a huge plume of steam high into the air on July 19, 2018.WABC
A steam pipe explosion in Manhattan's Flatiron District closed streets, forced evacuations and sent a huge plume of steam high into the air on July 19, 2018.WABC


Officials say the air is safe, but also say if you have to walk through the area - wear a mask. It has gotten a little better since a steam pipe exploded, blanketing the neighborhood with asbestos-laden mud.

Broadway is open to traffic between 23rd Street and Union Square, but it is a chaotic maze of firefighters, ConEd crews, hazmat teams and of course countless tourists, New Yorkers and the cars competing for road.

WATCH raw video from NewsCopter 7 over the scene

RAW VIDEO: NewsCopter 7 over the steam pipe explosion


Crews are still trying to figure out what caused the 86-year-old steam pipe to explode. It could take up to six months to find the answer.

There is also a giant crater at 21st and 5th to worry about. However, residents say each passing day gets a little easier.

Meanwhile, thousands of sand bags are on site to contain the debris.

With rain coming Saturday night, crews are worried it could spread the mess, slowing down their progress.

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