Video: NYC Man Survives Violent Sidewalk Explosion

Security camera video captured an explosion on a New York City sidewalk that engulfed a man in smoke and flames last week.

The incident happened at about 5:30 p.m. July 22 as a 57-year-old man was going to pay his cellphone bill in Queens, WNBC-TV reports. That's when a sudden explosion erupted from a sidewalk grate, sending flames and smoke shooting several feet high.

The man, who was able to stumble away following the blast, suffered second-degree burns and was taken to the hospital. Friends told WNBC that the man was in good spirits and recovering.

Utility company Con Edison is investigating the incident, and it was not clear whether there had been any reports about underground structure fires.