Rye - Manhole Fire 12-31-09 (Photos)

[firedude 985]

I just wish I got closer. But i decided to stay safe, and far away. There was a strong smell of Gas.

Incident Alert

Lohud Article

[jack10562 414]

I have been involved with many of these events over the course of my ConEd career. The term "manhole fire" is commonly misused, what most of the time is actually happening is a cable fault and burnout occurring in an underground feeder duct between manholes with the combustion products venting to the manholes on either end of the duct run.

The spectacular manhole-cover-propelling-explosions that occur, happens when accumulated CO from the smoldering cable eventually ignites. Sometimes a splice in a manhole fails resulting in a similar manhole cover displacement, but these generally self-extinguish fairly quickly once the electrical fault burns clear.

Anytime there is natural gas associated with these burnouts, it gets way trickier. In addition to CO traveling into attached structures through underground ducts to service boxes connecting structures, you can end up having natural gas released as well. Underground plastic gas mains and services can melt if in proximity to an electrical burnout. The soil can get white-hot (10,000 degrees F) from the electrical current flowing, which softens the plastic gas pipes to the failure point. Once outside the pipes, gas migrates along and into any suitable underground structures, such as sewer, water, telco, cable, and can get into surrounding buildings.

So, If you're ever involved in an underground electrical burnout or manhole fire, make sure the Gas Utility is advised of the situation as well as electric, so they can respond someone to confirm the absence or presence of natural gas facilities which may be impacted.

[Graham26 8]

What are the textbook ConED procedures for putting out an electrical fire underground. Like the situation in Rye earlier the manhole was fully flooded and overflowing then stopped but the fire grew back up. Then flooded a second time before the fire extinguished itself. Just looking for some insight into ConED's point of view.

[jack10562 414]

Really there is little anyone can do until the power is cut. Since the burnout appears to have been outside the manhole structure itself and inside a duct, filling the manhole with water will not always work, especially on a 13.8 KV feeder fire.

[jayhalsey 6]

This looks to be right in front of the post office, no?

[TL2L31 8]

Yes it was, right off of Rt 1.

[jayhalsey 6]

Yes it was, right off of Rt 1.

Thank you for the reply.