NYC explosion update
By: WROC
Updated: July 23, 2007
The so-called frozen zone is getting smaller.
It's been the city's top priority to shrink the restricted area of streets formed in the aftermath of last Wednesday's steam pipe explosion to ensure the public was kept away from contaminants.
One person was killed and at least 30 people injured when a more than 80 year old steam pipe burst in midtown Manhattan near Grand Central Terminal.
Six nearby buildings sustained minor damage to lower level windows.
People in the area ran for their lives in a scene reminiscent of the 9/11 terror attacks. .
As of 5 a.m. Monday all restrictions on East 42nd Street are expected to be removed, enabling pedestrians and businesses to have access to the north and south sidewalks.
Vehicles will also have free access.
This weekend, the city was able to reduce the frozen zone to a four block area.
Meanwhile of the 41 air samples taken by the Department of Environmental Protection, none have tested positive for asbestos.
30 of the 79 debris samples tested positive for asbestos, but only 28 of those 30 revealed trace amounts.
