Firefighters are still working an active scene in Williamsburg after manhole fires sent dangerous carbon monoxide levels into a residential building, forcing dozens of people out of their homes early Wednesday morning.
Crews were called to 101 Humboldt St. just after 3:20 a.m. after reports of carbon monoxide inside the seven-story building.
Once firefighters arrived, they detected elevated levels and learned that two manholes on the street were on fire. That’s when evacuations began.
Residents were moved out floor by floor as firefighters worked to clear the building. Officials say the entire building was eventually evacuated.
Two civilians were taken to Woodhull Hospital to be checked out
FDNY buses were brought in to give displaced residents a warm place to wait while crews continued working.
One tenant said the situation escalated quickly.
“They knock on the door and told everyone there’s smelling gas and the next thing you know they told everybody to come out. By the time we got out the building the thing blew up. I thought the building was on fire. I was scared so I grabbed my little niece and went out here,” said James Keney, who has lived in the building for three years.
Fire operations remain ongoing.
Con Edison crews and supervisors are on site, working alongside National Grid to make repairs as quickly and safely as possible. Utility crews are still trying to determine what caused the manhole fires.
Residents are waiting for the all-clear to return home.
News 12 will continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as soon as new information becomes available.