Gas Leak Forces Evacuations In Chelsea
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- No injuries were reported after a gas leak forced residents out of their apartments in Chelsea Monday morning.
The FDNY says a construction crew digging around 9 a.m. on West 19th Street and 10th Avenue accidentally broke the valve of a four-inch gas main, causing a high pressure leak.
VIDEO from 10th Ave/19th St turning to construction site, where high pressure gas line was ruptured. 10th closed to traffic. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/BwYAQsl4V0
— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) November 27, 2017
"We responded initially, realized what we had, transmitted a second alarm to get more personnel here to help evacuate the buildings around the area in the event that it did ignite," FDNY Manhattan Borough Commander Roger Sakowich said.
At least six buildings had to be evacuated. Resident Jasmina had firefighters at her door.
"They woke me up, they told me I had to evacuate the building," she told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
Ruptured gas line shut down, but 10th Ave remains closed at 18th St. Traffic at a standstill. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/Shd9YMWfVU
— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) November 27, 2017
The FDNY also closed a section of the High Line that was right above the area of the leak.
Con Edison workers shut down the gas before residents were allowed to return to their apartments.
Officials said people should expect to see emergency personnel and traffic delays in the area.
Due to a natural gas leak, expect emergency personnel & #traffic delays near West 19th Street & 10th Avenue in Manhattan. ASL/Multilingual Link: https://t.co/miFUokBtTh.
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) November 27, 2017
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