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."