NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Three manhole fires sent flames shooting into the streets and caused delays during tonight's rush hour in Manhattan.
Traffic was diverted from two busy Manhattan avenues because of the flames and smoke, but no injuries were reported. Fire department spokesman Jim Long said there were no power outages and no one was injured.
The fires were reported just before 4:00 p.m. at East 69th Street and Second Avenue and at the northwest corner of East 70th Street and Third Avenue. Martha Liipfert, a Con Ed spokeswoman said manhole fires usually are caused when insulation on wires overheats.
Police diverted traffic from Second and Third avenues in the area for a little more than an hour.
Firefighters and Con Edison workers checked the surrounding buildings for elevated levels of carbon monoxide, which Liipfert said is the usual procedure after a manhole fire. Carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that has no color or smell, is released from all fires.
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