A water main dating from the 19th century burst early yesterday outside a building,in lower Manhattan that houses many of the computers used at the New York Stock Exchange and some Chemical Securities Inc. trading operations.
City fire and police officials reported no disruption in business at the 55 Water Street address.
"It looks as if the largest hole is right between the north and south-bound lanes of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Highway," said Captain William Allee of the New York City Police Department. "There will be extensive, long-term delays on that roadway."
The mishap occurred around 12:15 a.m., Captain Allee said, adding that the water main was "at least 100 years old" and would have to be completely replaced.
The computers used for the stock exchange were fully functional and the buildings were being run on auxiliary power generators, Captain Allee added.
"We are 100% operational," said a trader at Chemical. "Most of the trading is done uptown anyway."
Most of the floors of 55 Water Street and Four New York Plaza, another building near the burst main, were opened between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
Two New York Plaza was not reopened yesterday because of the large volume of water and Consolidated Edison Co.'s inability to get emergency power up and running. according to Fire Department spokesman Frank McCabe.
Mr. McCabe also said three members of the Fire Patrol, a separate body overseen by the city's fire commissioner, were taken to Beekman Downtown Hospital "after being overcome by a burst of carbon monoxide." He said the men were released soon afterward.
