Dec 17, 2007 1:04 pm US/Eastern
'Chemical Reaction' Causes Explosion In Skyscraper
Midtown Manhattan Building Houses, NewsCorp., NY Post
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Sources tell CBS 2 that some type of chemical reaction occurred on the 45th floor, which houses the heating and air conditioning units and other utilities.
AP
A portion of the midtown Manhattan building that houses the New York Post and News Corporation has been shut down by police and emergency units, CBS 2 has learned, because of what's being described as a "chemical reaction" that caused a minor explosion.
Firefighters and hazmat units responded to the emergency shortly after 10:30 a.m. Monday at the 47-story skyscraper located at 1211 Sixth Ave., near 48th Street.
A firefighter and a civilian were moved to an area hospital with minor injuries. Two others were also treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Sources tell CBS 2 that some type of chemical reaction occurred on the 45th floor, where the heating and air conditioning units and other utilities are located. One man reportedly suffered lacerations to his head.
There are no offices on that floor, or on the three floors above. All three floors have been evacuated.
Fire spokesman Jim Long says: "We have some sort of reaction between two chemicals that caused a slight explosion." The chemicals are unknown at this time.
Surrounding streets were closed as emergency units responded.
The building is the headquarters for NewsCorp and houses Fox News and the New York Post, which were unaffected. The Post occupies the ninth, 10th and 15th floors. Fox News has offices in the basement.
Stay with wcbstv.com and CBS 2 for the latest in this developing story.
(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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