New York Blast Was 'Like A Volcano'- Photos
A massive underground explosion that caused a jet of steam and rubble to tear through a New York street has left a gaping crater in the heart of the city.
Hundreds of people fled in panic after seeing steam billowing near Grand Central Station, fearing a terrorist attack.
Investment banker Heiko H Thieme was splattered by mud from the blast - which he described as being like a volcano.
"Everybody was a bit confused, everybody obviously thought of 9/11," he said.
One person died from an apparent heart attack and around 30 were left injured - at least four seriously.
The initial burst of steam rose higher than the nearby 77-storey Chrysler Building, one of Manhattan's tallest skyscrapers.
A city bus was abandoned in the middle of Lexington Avenue, covered with grit, and thousands of commuters evacuated the train terminal when workers shouted at them to get out of the building. Source Sky News
Photographs © AP
