By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN EAST — Twin manhole explosions forced the evacuation of several businesses along First Avenue Tuesday afternoon.
The first fire started in a manhole on East 50th Street and First Avenue about 3:55 p.m., and the second broke out minutes later up the street at East 51st Street, FDNY said.
"I guess it was like a chain reaction," said Anthi Hatziconstantinos, manager of Ethos Restaurant at the northwest corner of the block, which was evacuated.
Carbon monoxide from the manhole fires had seeped into the basement at 897 First Avenue, next to Ethos, but was quickly contained, the FDNY said.
Hatziconstantinos said she that when the lights in her restaurant began flickering on and off she initially thought there was something wrong with the building's electrical system.
"It's a little scary because you don't know what's going to happen," she said.
Then the kitchen staff of the restaurant noticed smoke near the back of the kitchen, Hatziconstantinos said.
Staff and a few customers then exited the restaurant, she said.
No one was injured in the explosions, according to the FDNY.
Although ConEd restored gas to the affected area about 5 p.m., it would be a while before full power would return to the businesses, the FDNY said.
It was unclear whether Ethos would open for the dinner rush.
"I don't want to be waiting for hours and hours," Hatziconstantinos worried aloud as she waited for her restaurant's electricity to be restored.
