Manhole fire on Flatbush stalls traffic on major artery (and knocks out power to 98 homes/businesses); similar snag could cause huge problems on days when arena hosts events

A manhole fire on Flatbush Avenue about a block south of the Barclays Center site has stopped traffic for hours, according to eyewitness reports, and prompted response by city firefighters and Con Edison

While the incident at on the south side of Flatbush between Dean and Bergen streets has no relationship to arena construction, it does suggests potential traffic chaos on this major artery should such a problem occur on an event day--or even a work day.

Impact on locals

Charred electrical components, finally unearthed

Patch reported that 98 households and business lost power after the underground electrical fire, which was reported at 5:13 pm and controlled in an hour. No injuries have been reported. (Update: Patch adds that power was restored at 3:30 am on July 2.)

Various buildings were checked for damage, and business operators presumably lost significant access to customers.

Note that I have not been at the scene myself; the photos and video are courtesy of AYInfoNYC, the nom de camera of a prolific contributor to Atlantic Yards Watch.