Queens- 2nd Alarm, Gas Explosion 4-10-06

[Guest]

credit: WABC TV NY

Apparent gas main explosion in Queens

No injuries were immediately reported

(New York -WABC, April 10, 2006) -

An apparent gas main explosion in the East Elmhurst section of Queens sent up a large plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

The explosion happened underneath the intersection of 23rd Avenue and 86th Street, near the Triboro Coach Corporation bus garage, just before 11:00 a.m., officials said.

Firefighters transmitted a second alarm on arrival for the explosion. No injuries were immediately reported.

[Guest]

credit: WABC TV NY

[Guest]

Two Alarm Blaze Extinguished At Bus Depot In Queens

April 10, 2006

NY1 News

Firefighters have extinguished nearly all of what was a massive fire at the depot for Triboro Coach Buses in East Elmhurst, Queens.

The fire started sometime after 10:30 causing the fire at bus depot near LaGuardia airport.

Keyspan is now on the scene. Crews have shut down a gas main which is believed to have fed the fire, making the work for firefighters very difficult.

The fire burned for about an hour.

The Port Authority says flights in and out of LaGuardia were not affected.

There is no word on injuries.

[Guest]

Gas main explosion scorches bus depot

Main filled with compressed natural gas exploded, setting one bus ablaze

Eyewitness News' Michelle Charlesworth

(New York -WABC, April 10, 2006) -

Flames blasted into the air following a gas main explosion at a bus depot in East Elmhurst, Queens.

Eyewitness News reporter Michelle Charlesworth is live with the latest.

A gas main explosion at a bus depot in the East Elmhurst section of Queens sent up a large plume of black smoke that could be seen for miles.

The explosion was underneath the Triboro Coach Corporation bus depot at 85-01 24th Avenue just before 11:00 a.m.

A high pressure main filled with compressed natural gas suddenly exploded, setting one bus ablaze.

Firefighters battled the flames for 30 minutes until Keyspan shut off the gas, which is used to fuel many of the buses housed there. Firefighters transmitted a second alarm on arrival for the explosion.

No injuries were immediately reported. The explosion is located at a depot owned by the Triboro Coach Corporation.

However, many of the buses housed and fueled there are MTA buses since the private company was recently taken over by the MTA.

Delays were anticipated on the MTA's Q33 and M60 bus lines, and on Triboro Coach Bus Line No. 33.

Triboro Coach Corp. operates more than 250 buses in Queens.

[Guest]

[JBE 328]

The only thing I have to add to this is that it was visible from the other end of Queens. I was on my way to JFK and I could see it from there. Good interview with Chief Sweeney.