By DPA
New York : Up to 16 people were injured in a steam pipe explosion in midtown Manhattan during rush hours that sent muddy brown water spewing into the air and brought transport to a standstill, broadcast reports said.
Two of the injured were in critical condition, MSNBC reported, and there were reports of one death. Various broadcasters reported from 12 to 16 people were injured. Televised images showed a red pickup truck trapped in a large crater at the site of the explosion.
Officials said that an exploding transformer could have caused the accident.
Fire and rescue workers were unable to close down the system as muddy water and steam continued spewing into the air.
The explosion occurred near 41st Street and Lexington Avenue, and sent a shudder through buildings in the midtown area.
The New York Police Department said that it could not provide details about the cause of the explosion or injuries, except to stress it was not a terrorist attack.