Broadway 'steam pipe explosion': Massive plume of 'smoke' engulfs New York street

A mysterious giant plume of 'smoke' is causing consternation in the middle of New York - after one person reported hearing an 'explosion'.



Authorities are responding to what they are calling a 'steam pipe explosion' in the Flatiron District.



Local media is reporting the thick black cloud as having "turned the immediate area into a smoking ghost town".



The incident occurred at around 7am local time (midday in the UK) - during rush hour.



One resident, Casie Jordan, tweeted: "Some kind of explosion on Broadway and 21st."



The New Yorker, who works for Twitter, shot video which she posted on the social media network.



She told the New York Daily News: "It’s coming from below the street."



It's too early to say for certain what the giant plume which has engulfed the whole of the street and can be seen rising up high over several floors of nearby buildings is exactly.