The team tasked with finding the cause of the deadly East Harlem blast has finished gathering evidence.
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Sections of at least four utility lines have been collected from the scene of the suspected gas explosion in East Harlem for testing in Washington, D.C.
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board announced on Monday that the team tasked with finding the cause of the deadly blast that killed eight people and injured dozens on March 12 has finished gathering evidence.
“The investigation now pivots to Washington, D.C., as investigators test sections of pipe secured from the scene and conduct other investigative activities, such as examining leak surveys and maintenance records for the gas main on Park Avenue,” the agency said in a statement Monday.
A preliminary report released by the investigators reported that sections of multiple gas and water pipes were on their way to NTSB laboratories to determine the cause of the explosion that leveled two buildings along Park Avenue.
The collected evidence includes:
- Pipe sections from the 8-inch cast iron gas main found to have small gas leaks
- An 8-inch plastic pipe installed in 2011
- Segments of the service pipe connecting the buildings to the gas main
- A portion of the 12-inch water main found with a large crack
The NTSB also acknowledged that Mayor Bill de Blasio’s administration remains involved with the investigation, as are New York State’s Public Service Commission and Con Edison.
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