Fire Affecting Brooklyn Phone Service

A manhole fire at Smith and Livingston Streets is affecting telephone service in parts of downtown Brooklyn.
Verizon repair crews still have not been able to access the damaged circuits in that manhole because of carbon monoxide concerns.
In the meantime, at least part of the NYS Court Complex at 120 Schemmerhorn Street has lost phone service. Technicians there are working to rig internet phone circuits as a temporary workaround.

There is no word yet on when the affected phone service will be restored, and no word on what caused the manhole fire.