Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: March 26, 2015
8:00 p.m.
Con Edison is working with fire officials and other agencies
at the scene of today’s explosion and building collapse on 2nd Avenue near 7th
Street in the East Village neighborhood in Manhattan. Earlier today, Con
Edison personnel were at the location to evaluate work the building plumber was
doing inside 121 2nd Ave. in connection with a gas service upgrade.
The work
failed our inspection for several reasons, including insufficient spacing for
the installation of the meter in the basement.
We had no reports of gas odors in the area prior to the fire
and explosion. A survey conducted yesterday of the gas mains on the block found
no leaks.
We continue to work with all agencies on the investigation into
the cause, and we are praying for the recovery of all the injured