Submitted by Ken R., Mar 5, 2007 23:20

We were just visiting the city Sat night, March 3, 2007 and witnessed the terrifying explosions and fires at Houston and Broadway which stopped traffic for hours and could have incinerated anyone unlucky enough to be crossing the street or driving over the manholes at the time. After searching the web for news of the explosions (which were reported on WNBC that night simply as "traffic delays due to police activity") I have to conclude that these terrifying and potentially deadly fires and explosions are fairly common! Now this article describes the electrocution of a dog which stepped on an electrified manhole. How is Con Ed allowed to be so casual in its response to these events? Why aren't these events publicized outside of New York City? I now have two daughters living in New York and these events make one think twice about the wisdom of living in a city where explosions, fires and electrocutions don't even make the news. Is Con Ed squelching the reporting of potentially fatal events that are due to their lack of concern and proper maintenance of their part of the infrastructure?

Note: Comments are screened, and in some cases edited, before posting. We reserve the right to reject anything we find objectionable.