Contaminated buildings

Four days after a massive steam pipe explosion in Manhattan, Con Edison and city agencies have worked to clean up the area and reopen buildings to residents and businesses. The explosion, on 21st Street and Fifth Avenue, spewed asbestos and other debris high into the air. At least 24 buildings out of the more than 45 evacuated on Thursday following have reopened, according to the city's Emergency Management Department. Another dozen should be opened in another day. But 11 buildings, in the so-called hot zone, have confirmed asbestos contamination.