APRIL 27, 2015
NEW YORK, NY (AP)
New York City’s Carnegie Deli has been closed so utility
workers can investigate a possible illegal gas hookup.
A recording at the restaurant’s phone number Saturday says
it is closed for repairs related to the city’s gas utility, Con Edison.
But Con Edison spokesman Bob McGee says utility crews
discovered a diverted line after investigating a gas leak. A stop-work order
was posted Friday.
Investigators from the city and the Manhattan district
attorney’s office have stepped up inspections of gas hookups since an explosion
in the East Village killed two people on March 26. Authorities believe that
blast may have been caused by someone improperly tapping a gas line.
The Carnegie Deli is a popular tourist destination known for
its massive pastrami sandwiches and pop culture cameos.
Is this the way to keep the food prices low? Illegal gas connections to reduce the utility
bill? We will see what the investigation
shows.
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The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating whether gas siphoning may have contributed to the deadly explosion in the East Village last week.
One or more of the gas lines at 121 2nd Ave. may have reportedly been tapped to supply gas to the upper floors.
In addition, equipment may have been dismantled or hidden 75 minutes before the explosion and employees of the building may have tried to reconnect the lines after Con Ed conducted a routine inspection, reports the NY Times.
Tenants were also reportedly told by the building's owner not to alert Con Ed if they smelled gas, according to the Times and Newsday.
“I, like everyone else in the city administration, am not going to speculate from this point on,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Two people were killed and 19 injured in the explosion.