15 March 2014 (08:52 UTC-07 Tango)/13 Jumada l-Ula 1435/24 Esfand 1392/15 Ding-Mao 4712

U.S. NTSB officials investigating the explosion that took down two six story buildings in Harlem, New York, say gas was building up in the area even after the explosion. Consolidated Edison found a 20% concentration of gas, suggesting the in-ground gas line to 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue is leaking.

ConEd also revealed that the line was repaired in 2004, after complaints of strong smell of gas was reported.  This contradicts earlier reports from ConEd, and New York City agencies, claiming there were no problems or complaints documented for that area.

ConEd also stated that they did respond to recent complaints of gas smell in the area, and found nothing.  This is significant, because one of the building owners said they were forced to replace lines in their building, because ConEd blamed the smell of gas on the lines in the building.  Occupants had complained that they could still smell gas afterwards, and that it was outside the buildings.

The Daily News said ConEd refuses to comment to them about the latest NTSB findings.  Many New Yorkers are now concerned about the condition of the thousands of miles of gas lines under the city.

Security camera video of the explosion has been made public. The explosion itself doesn’t look that big, just blowing out windows, but apparently it was enough to take down two buildings.

Eight people now dead.

It’s hoped all debris will be removed by Saturday, so that investigators can look for the source of the explosion.

Preliminary evidence doesn’t match