Utility found 'hazardous situation' in gas link before New York blast

By Barbara Goldberg NEW YORK (Reuters) - Utility workers dispatched in August to one of three buildings destroyed in an explosion and fire in Manhattan last week found dangerous gas line connections that created a "hazardous situation," a Con Edison spokesman said on Saturday. The crew was sent to the building after a Con Edison worker reading gas meters smelled gas on Aug. 6 in the basement, said Con Edison spokesman Allan Drury. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said on Friday that the blast was possibly tied to someone "inappropriately" tapping into a gas line. The owner of the sushi restaurant where the explosion occurred told The New York Times that utility workers determined that gas intended for his restaurant was being siphoned off illegally for use in newly renovated apartments upstairs.

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