This winter, New Yorkers have been told time and again to look down and watch their step. And they have been told to look up for snow and ice tumbling from towering buildings.

On Wednesday, on one block in the Chelsea neighborhood, they were told to look everywhere. The entire block was electrified.

As utility workers rushed to find the cause of the problem, the authorities closed down Avenue of the Americas between 26th and 27th Streets to traffic and pedestrians.

While no injuries were reported, stray voltage can be deadly, and the risk is usually greatest after heavy rains and snows, when water and salt can cause short circuits and damage power lines.