Wednesday, April 15, 2015

NEW YORK CITY RESTAURANT ACROSS FROM GAS EXPLOSION ACCUSED OF SIPHONING NATURAL GAS, EVICTED BY PROPERTY OWNER.




APRIL 14, 2015

NEW YORK (MYFOXNY)

A restaurant across the street from a deadly gas explosion in the East Village has been evicted for allegedly illegally siphoning gas.

Icon Realty, the landlord for the property, has evicted the owners of the Stage Restaurant on Second Ave.

Roman Diakun and his family have operated Stage Restaurant in since 1980. He says the accusations are not true.

But attorneys for Icon realty say the the Ukrainian diner illegally and dangerously altered the piping.

Photos provided to Fox 5 News claim to show a device being used to connect to Con Ed's line and bypass the Stage's meter.

Investigators are seeing if a tapped gas line led to an explosion and collapse that killed 2 people last month.

In a statement issued to Fox 5 News the Dept. of Buildings stated: "Siphoning gas is illegal, very dangerous, and a violation of the building code. In addition to issuing violations, the Department will notify Con Edison if inspectors detect illegally tapped gas lines while conducting a site visit. If residents smell gas, or suspect tampering with gas lines, they should call Con Ed or 911 immediately."