No Injuries Reported As Minivan Goes Up In Flames In Borough Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There were terrifying moments in Brooklyn when a parked car suddenly caught fire.
The flames are believed to have been sparked by a manhole at about 1:15 p.m.
As CBS2's Steve Langford reported, a minivan engulfed in flames was an ominous sight on 47th Street near 13th Ave on Friday afternoon.
"I was at home when my daughter came running in screaming 'there's a fire," Rivki Lev said.
A manhole right under the vehicle exploded, according to witness, and virtually destroyed the minivan. No one was in the vehicle at the time. No injuries were reported.
Neighbors said the potential for danger could have been much worse. Half the community is currently in the Catskills.
The FDNY put out the fire while Con Ed emergency crews rushed to the scene. The utility said it's unclear so far if the car started the fire or if the manhole did.
In an ever nervous world residents may be forgiven for wondering at first if the fire was something more sinister.
"These days, in this world, yes you never know," neighbor Elchanan Stauber said.
The cause remains under investigation as power remained out on part of the block.