Explosion, Fire at Con-Ed Plant in DUMBO, Brooklyn

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About 5:19 p.m. an explosion rocked the Con Edison plant (at the John Street substation) in the Brooklyn neighborhood of DUMBO and thick black clouds of smoke filled the sky.

The Hazmat Battalion was called to Front and Bridge Streets along with a number of Fire Companies including Ladder 175, Engine 231, 58 and acting 229. UPDATE: There were as many as 40 units, says a commenter (see below) including some from Manhattan.

UPDATE: The Fire Dept. reported at 6:38 p.m. that the fire has been extinguished and the situation is under control.

In September 2011, a transformer fire erupted at the substation but was quickly extinguished.

Con Ed has plans to tear down the plant.  Brooklyn Bridge Park leadership has discussed expanding into part or all of the site. More about that here.

Top two photos copyright MK Metz, bottom photo courtesy of Google Streetview

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