One person was killed last night as New York was rocked by a massive explosion that sparked fears among commuters of a terror attack.

The underground steam explosion tore through a Manhattan street near Grand Central Station yesterday rush hour, sending residents running for cover amid a plume of steam.

A huge geyser of what appeared to be steam and earth continued to erupt from the center of 41st Street after the blast, generating a tremendous roar.

New York Police Department spokesman Paul Browne said it was not terrorism-related. A fire department spokeswoman said some people were taken to area hospitals, but no details were available.

Video from YouTube user qwave54

The blast, which happened at 41st Street and Lexington Avenue near Grand Central Terminal, came from a broken 24-inch steam pipe that was installed in 1924, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg said at a news conference.

"There is no reason to believe whatsoever that this is anything other than a failure of our infrastructure," Bloomberg said. "There is no reason whatsoever to believe that there is anything involved with terrorism or criminality."