Manholes catch fire in Flatbush, leaving more than 1,700 customers without power

This all started around 4:40 a.m. on Beverley Road between East 18th and 19th streets.

Edric Robinson

Jun 20, 2025, 4:39 PM

Updated 3 hr ago

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It’s been a rough morning for folks in parts of Brooklyn — around 2,000 people are without electricity after multiple manholes caught fire, and fire crews are still on the scene.
This all started around 4:40 a.m. on Beverley Road between East 18th and 19th streets. That’s where the FDNY says someone called in smoke coming from a manhole. When firefighters got there, they found even more problems—more manholes showing signs of fire.
Videos taken by neighbors show thick black smoke rising from the street and flames coming out of one of the manholes. Firefighters were seen blasting it with water, trying to get it under control.
Luckily, no one was hurt. But many people are now dealing with the power being out—and the heat rising.
“We don’t have power. They don’t know when it’s gonna come back on,” said Max Beach, who lives nearby. “What really concerns me is there’s a heat wave, and I have epilepsy. That’s why I called the paramedics—I had soot all over my face.”
Con Edison says more than 1,700 customers are without power in Flatbush, and electricity might not be back on until around 11 p.m.
Up in Williamsburg, it’s a similar situation. Nearly 200 customers are without power near North 5th and Havemeyer streets. Con Edison estimates power will be back there by around 3 p.m.
National Grid and Con Edison are still working to figure out exactly why this happened—but both say they’re actively investigating.
For now, if you're in one of the affected areas, stay cool, stay safe, and check on your neighbors—especially those who may need extra help in the heat.