Faulty Gas Work Causes Manhattan Building Collapse
A powerful explosion in Lower Manhattan on March 26 caused two buildings to collapse and ignited a large fire that spread to neighboring buildings, leaving at least 19 people injured.
Investigators found that the gas-related explosion was caused by plumbing and gas work being done in the East Village neighborhood. The explosion and ensuing fire destroyed that building and led to the collapse of an adjacent building, the New York Times reported.
Workers from the utility Consolidated Edison had been on the site about an
hour before the explosion and had found the work being done there to be
deficient. But he said there were no calls reporting gas leaks before the
explosion. Michael S. Clendenin, a Con Edison spokesman, said several buildings
on the street had been undergoing renovations for several months.
