From The New York Shitty Inbox: Exploding Manhole & A Shooting On Bedford Avenue?

A fellow we’ll call “G” writes:

About 9:15 Outside the Lucky Dog… Firefighter said a transformer blew and the flames shot out a manhole cover, hit the bottom of a BMW. Guy who hangs out at the barber shop on S. 2nd says it’s his friend’s, wasn’t fully insured… hope Con Ed or National Grid are on the hook.

The locals helped redirect traffic until the firefighters and cops got there, and the poor drunk hipsters at the Lucky Dog were locked inside for an hour before the firefighters cleared them out.

While we’re on the subject of Bedford Avenue, there was apparently a shooting in the wee hours on North 9th Street just west on Bedford Avenue (THINK: behind Kasia’s). Accounts vary as to whether the victim survived or not. If/when I get more details I’ll post them here. Otherwise, if you have the 411 as to what happened please shoot me an email at: missheather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. Your identity will remain anonymous if you so desire. Thanks!

UPDATE, July 30, 2012: I have received word that Consolidated Edison is going to compensate bicycle owners whose rides were destroyed as a result of this incident. This is a good first step. Nonetheless, I hope they conduct a thorough investigation into exactly what happened and will share their findings with the public.

UPDATE, 10:14 p.m.: you can read the New York Daily News’s take on what happened by clicking here. The good (?) news: while listed in critical condition, the victim is expected to pull through.

UPDATE, 3:41 p.m.: Here’s another account of the fire in front of Lucky Dog.

Lest I have not made this clear: When I post missives from my inbox— especially when it involves an eyewitness of an event— I pretty much leave them “as is”. Their content/wording does not (and in fact, often) does not reflect my personal views of the subject at hand. I was not present when the manhole explosion occurred and by all accounts it sounds pretty terrifying— especially for those who had to wait on the premises of the Lucky Dog for over an hour until our Bravest got matters under control.

Do I necessarily like “G’s” how “G” relayed this event? No, not really. However, that was what I was sent and I opted to leave his/her words in intact. Perhaps this was mistake on my part? I am always open to reader feedback— but having someone wish I die of AIDS? Methinks this is going a bit too far. What’s more, it is against the law.