Long Before East Village Explosion, Gas Line Reportedly Was Tapped

[ND-Dem]

The explosion and fire that ravaged the area in the Manhattan neighborhood may have been tied to a gas line that was tapped in a potentially hazardous manner more than seven months ago, reports The New York Times. At least 22 people were injured in the incident.

In August, the owners of Sushi Park called Con Edison after smelling a “strong odor” of gas in the basement. Speaking to the Times, owner Hyeonil Kim said that they had called the police, and utility workers reported that gas at the restaurant had been “illegally” siphoned off for use in apartments upstairs in the building, which had been recently renovated.

Kim contacted the building’s landlord, who then hired a plumber to conduct a quick-fix “piping job” that assuaged the problem for the time being...

http://www.newsweek.com/long-east-village-explosion-gas-line-reportedly-was-tapped-317621

[hrmjustin]

1. There will be criminal charges.