It happened before 2 a.m. Wednesday at 38th Street near Second Avenue.
Residents shared video of smoke billowing up through the street.
Video from a neighbor shows flames raging under the street overnight. Fire is now out at 2nd Ave & E 38th St #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/Hu4G3Ta2ey
— Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) August 15, 2018
No injuries were reported.
The blast knocked out power to some homes and businesses in the area.
Police shut down Second Avenue in the area for nearly three hours as repair work got underway.
The road was back open by 5 a.m.
Another shot of the fire in the street #abc7ny pic.twitter.com/ALAB1mjxKP
— Derick Waller (@wallerABC7) August 15, 2018
Access to the Midtown Tunnel was not affected.
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