2 Injured as Steam Line Bursts in D.C.
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WASHINGTON — A blast of superheated steam blew two workers out of a manhole near the White House on Friday, sending them to the hospital with serious burns, officials said.
District of Columbia authorities said a steam line burst underground in front of the new Executive Office Building, about a block from the White House.
The two workers were seriously burned, rescue officials said, and a third person had less serious injuries.
The “superheated” steam that blasted from the manhole could reach temperatures of 900 to 1,200 degrees, said Alan Etter, a city spokesman.
The cause of the accident was unclear.
The blast cut off hot water to about half a dozen government buildings.
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