A large wall of steam flowed out of the ground around the Pennsylvania Convention Center late Monday night after an underground steam pipe suddenly burst.
The pipe, which runs under the intersection of 13th and Race Streets, broke open around 10 p.m., officials said.
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From the air, large plumes of steam could be seen rising from several locations in the area including at 12th and Arch Streets.
The open steam main forced the vapor into the 13th Street tunnel, where the convention center crosses over the street. Once the tunnel was filled, the steam then cascaded up the curtain wall of the meeting hall and into the sky.
The Philadelphia Fire Department, PECO Energy, Philadelphia Gas Works and the Philadelphia Water Department were all on the scene investigating the incident. Officials tell NBC10.com it's unclear what caused the pipe to blow.
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A spokeswoman with the Pennsylvania Convention Center says the pipe burst did not cause damage to the exhibition hall and is not disrupting any meetings.
13th Street remains closed between Arch and Race Streets because of the incident.
Photo from last night's @PhilaOEM response to steam pipe burst at @PAConvention pic.twitter.com/fq8Is9GNyf — PhilaOEM Director (@DirectorPhilaEM) June 24, 2014
