Last year, a gas leak contributed to the horrific deaths of eight individuals in a pair of New York City apartment buildings. The explosion and resulting apartment fire in Harlem left people’s lives shattered. Now, the results of a months-long federal investigation show that the explosion never would have happened had two gas delivery pipes been properly attached to each other and if New York City had properly repaired a known underground utility failure.
These results clearly show that Consolidated Edison’s failure to properly install and inspect their piping directly contributed to the blast. However, Con Edison was not the only party at fault. The investigation also concluded that the blast would not have been as disastrous had New York City properly repaired a “gaping” hole adjacent to a sewer main that reports show had been identified nearly eight years before the deadly blast. This negligence by both parties put individual lives at risk and, in the end, contributed to the massive gas leak.
Officials speculate that the leak was caused when the broken sewer line eroded the earth supporting the gas line, causing it to sag and the connection between two pipes to split. Gas then built to dangerous levels inside the basement of one of the buildings. When the explosion was finally sparked, the blast levelled two five-story apartment buildings on Park Avenue and spread flaming debris everywhere.
In addition to killing eight people, the building collapse in Harlem injured dozens of people. Now that the results of the official investigation have been released, those effected by the blast have additional evidence that they can use against the negligent parties (Con Ed and the City of New York) in ongoing lawsuits seeking financial compensation for their losses.
If you’ve been injured, or have lost a loved one in a New York City apartment building explosion, you could be legally entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical expenses and lost wages. Contact a New York City apartment fire attorney today. Call the Law Offices of Nussin S. Fogel for a free consultation at or 212-385-1122 to learn your rights.