Two women were hurt — one critically — after a generator exploded at a Midtown parking garage on Thursday night, according to officials.
The generator blew up just after 9 p.m. at an eight-story parking garage on E. 53rd St. between Lexington and Third Avenues, the FDNY and NYPD said.
The generator exploded at a parking garage on E. 53rd Street Thursday night. Robert Mecea
A small pressure explosion occurred in the generator’s venting system, causing the vents to break off and shoot across the parking garage, striking two 25-year-old women as they were walking by, cops said.
Two women were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to police. Robert Mecea
“There was some sort of backdraft or a back puff” on the emergency diesel generator in the basement “that caused the vent assembly to explode and come off of the building, propel across the street into the two individuals,” FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Abbamonte said, NBC News reported.
Both were rushed to Cornell Hospital — one in critical condition, according to the fire department, although police said both women suffered minor injuries.