Manhattan's iconic Union Square rocked by manhole fires, eruptions

The New York Fire Department summoned all hands to respond to a commercial fire in multiple manholes near Manhattan's iconic Union Square and Strand bookstore on Friday morning.

NYC Emergency Management warned commuters to "expect extensive traffic delays in the area of Broadway & E 12th Street."

Reports of the fire started coming in just before 8 A.M.

Witnesses in the area - including broadcast journalist Rima Abdelkader - took to social media to report loud blasts coming from the manholes.

Abdelkader reported that a manhole erupted while a fire truck was parked on top of it.

Eruptions were strong enough to ring her ears and shake nearby buildings, according to Abdelkader.

New York's Pix 11 local news reported firefighters walking through the Strand bookstore, but no visible flames. Live footage from the scene streamed on their website shows no active fires as of 8:55 A.M., but firefighters cleaning up debris and broken glass from nearby buildings.