West End Avenue Manhole Fire Closes Street to Traffic Updated February 18, 2012 11:51am

A manhole fire on West End Avenue at 82nd Street closed the thoroughfare to traffic on Sat., Feb. 18, 2012. (DNAinfo/Sarah Tan)

By Sarah Tan

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UPPER WEST SIDE — A manhole fire on West End Avenue closed the street to traffic Saturday morning, authorities said.

The underground blaze broke out at the corner of West End Avenue and 82nd Street shortly after 10 a.m., forcing firefighters to close the thoroughfare to traffic in both directions between 81st and 83rd streets, the FDNY said.

The blaze was sparked by corroded wires in a belowground transformer, firefighters said at the scene.

FDNY officials added that West End Avenue would reopen after Con Edison workers assessed the situation.

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