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Officials at New York explosion site work to reach basements Officials at New York explosion site reach basements
(about 7 hours later)
Emergency workers on Saturday sifted through debris from the site of a deadly explosion at two New York City apartment buildings as they worked to reach the basement levels, clearing the way for investigators to search for clues that might reveal what caused the blast. Emergency workers on Saturday sifted through debris Saturday from the site of a deadly explosion at two New York City apartment buildings, as they worked to reach deeper into the basement levels to clear the way for investigators to search for clues that might reveal what caused the blast.
Construction machinery was offloading debris from the site in East Harlem, which was still swarming with emergency officials from multiple law enforcement agencies. Fire commissioner Salvatore Cassano said investigation of the piping and the meters in front of the basement will likely start on Sunday and that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) should be able to start pressure-testing the pipes.
Truckloads of scattered material will be sifted for any traces of human remains that might not have been found at the site, said the city fire commissioner, Salvatore Cassano. Although the bodies of all eight people reported missing have been recovered, the rescue operation was continuing in case others may be buried beneath the rubble, he said. Arson detectives and fire marshals have been waiting to enter the basements to examine meters, check pipes and inspect any possible ignition sources, such as light switches, that might have caused the blast.
Arson detectives and fire marshals were waiting to enter the basements to examine meters, check pipes and inspect any possible ignition sources, such as light switches, that might have caused the blast. About 70% of the debris was cleared by midday on Friday after a hazardous rear wall that had slowed the process was finally removed. The theory that the explosion was due to a gas leak gained momentum on Friday after the NTSB, which investigates pipeline accidents, said underground tests conducted in the hours after the explosion registered high concentrations of natural gas. The NTSB will conduct its own inquiry after police and fire officials determine what might have caused the blast.
A few blocks away, underneath the Metro-North railroad tracks, several wrecked vehicles were still covered in bricks and debris. The vehicles had been removed from the close vicinity of the explosion. No news briefings were scheduled for Saturday, and Mayor Bill de Blasio was not expected to visit the site. Cassano said about 15% of the debris was left on the site late on Saturday afternoon.
“We thought we would see how the neighbourhood is pulling together, but it might be too soon,” said Gloria Herrera, 24, who was watching the recovery effort. “This is so sad.” An uplifting moment from the painstaking recovery effort came as crews pulled a large water-damaged bible from the rubble of the Spanish Christian Church, which was located in one of the two destroyed buildings. About two dozen people, including clergy members, carried the bible in a solemn procession near the East Harlem site.
More than 60 people were injured in the explosion, and more than 100 others were displaced, officials said. “This was in the depths of the rubble. Somehow God protected it,” said Rick del Rio, a bishop at the Church of God.
The theory that the explosion was due to a gas leak gained momentum on Friday after the National Transportation Safety Board, which investigates pipeline accidents, said underground tests conducted in the hours after Wednesday morning’s explosion registered high concentrations of natural gas. The church’s pastor, Thomas Perez, suffered heart palpitations when he saw the bible, said Letitia James, the city’s public advocate. He was taken by ambulance to a hospital as a precaution, supporters said. Cassano said Perez was overwhelmed with emotion.
NTSB team member Robert Sumwalt said utility Consolidated Edison dug 50 holes around the blast site and measured gas levels in those cavities soon after the explosion. Gas concentration was up to 20% in at least five spots, and normal levels in the city’s soil should be zero, he said. “It was singed but it meant an awful lot to the pastor,” he said. “It showed the pastor that they’ll be rebuilding.”
“Somehow or another, natural gas did work its way into the ground,” he said, adding that workers were testing nearby pipes to identify any with potential leaks. Truckloads of scattered material will be sifted for any traces of human remains that might not have been found at the site, Cassano said. Although the bodies of all eight people reported missing after Wednesday’s blast have been recovered, the rescue operation was continuing in case others may be buried beneath the rubble, he said.
Police have identified six of those who died: Griselde Camacho, 45, a Hunter College security officer; Carmen Tanco, 67, a dental hygienist who participated in church-sponsored medical missions to Africa and the Caribbean; Andreas Panagopoulos, 43, a musician; Rosaura Hernández, 22, a restaurant cook from Mexico; George Ameado, 44, a handyman who lived in one of the buildings that collapsed; and Alexis Salas, 22, a restaurant worker. More than 60 people were injured in the explosion, and more than 100 others were displaced.
Mexican officials said another Mexican woman, Rosaura Barrios Vázquez, 43, was among those killed. The name of the eighth person recovered, a woman, has not been released. Police have identified six of those who died: Griselde Camacho, 45, a Hunter College security officer; Carmen Tanco, 67, a dental hygienist who participated in church-sponsored medical missions to Africa and the Caribbean; Andreas Panagopoulos, 43, a musician; Rosaura Hernandez, 22, a restaurant cook from Mexico; George Ameado, 44, a handyman who lived in one of the buildings that collapsed; and Alexis Salas, 22, a restaurant worker.
After touring a Red Cross shelter where some of the displaced residents have been placed temporarily, De Blasio pledged his support to find suitable temporary or long-term housing options for those displaced. Mexican officials said another Mexican woman, Rosaura Barrios Vazquez, 43, was among those killed. The name of the eighth person recovered, a woman, has not been released.
After touring a Red Cross shelter where some of the displaced residents have been placed temporarily, Mayor Bill de Blasio pledged his support to find suitable temporary or long-term housing options for those displaced.
“It’s our obligation as the city of New York, and I know all New Yorkers feel this way, to stand by them,” he said.“It’s our obligation as the city of New York, and I know all New Yorkers feel this way, to stand by them,” he said.
The Department of Homeless Services has about 50 apartments available for families in private buildings where nonprofits are involved in the management, the mayor said. He said officials are arranging for more apartments that would be available for up to three months. Investigators were trying to determine whether the explosion had anything to do with the city’s aging gas and water mains, some of which were installed in the 1800s. More than 30,000 miles of decades-old, decaying cast-iron pipe still are being used to deliver gas nationwide, according to US Transportation Department estimates.
Investigators were trying to pinpoint the gas leak and determine whether it had anything to do with the city’s ageing gas and water mains, some of which were installed in the 1800s. More than 30,000 miles of decades-old, decaying cast-iron pipe are still being used to deliver gas nationwide, according to US Transportation Department estimates. Fire and utility officials said that if the buildings were plagued in recent days or weeks by strong gas odors, as some tenants contend, they have no evidence anyone reported it before Wednesday. An Associated Press analysis of the city’s 311 calls database from 1 January 2013, through Tuesday also found no calls from the buildings about gas.
Fire and utility officials said that if the buildings were plagued in recent days or weeks by strong gas odours, as some tenants contend, they have no evidence anyone reported it before Wednesday. An Associated Press analysis of the city’s emergency call database from 1 January 2013 through Tuesday also found no calls from the buildings about gas.
The blast erupted about 15 minutes after someone from a neighbouring building reported smelling gas, authorities said. Con Edison said it immediately sent workers to check out the report, but they got there too late.The blast erupted about 15 minutes after someone from a neighbouring building reported smelling gas, authorities said. Con Edison said it immediately sent workers to check out the report, but they got there too late.