Gas leak in NYC's Morningside Heights capped after evacuations, investigation, officials say
The FDNY says a gas leak has been capped in Morningside Heights.
Authorities responded to 3081 Broadway, between West 122nd Street and LaSalle Street just before 11 a.m. Wednesday.
Con Edison said there was gas leak coming from a main, but the main did not rupture.
FDNY Assistant Chief of Operations John Sarrocco said a high-pressure gas main was fractured during a street excavation procedure taking place on Broadway.
"I heard this outrageous sound"
Students at the nearby Manhattan School of Music described a chaotic morning.
"The whole school was basically out on the street," one student said.
"We were all trying to get out," said another.
"All of a sudden I heard this outrageous sound. I could not figure out what it was," Morningside Heights resident Barbara Schwartz said.
"It was just a loud, like, white noise sound, and we heard it between the buildings," student Calder Failla said.
"That's how high pressure it is," Sarrocco said.
The leak was capped shortly after noon, according to the FDNY. No injuries were reported, but seven buildings in the area were evacuated in the area and several roads were closed off.
Subway service along the 1 line was suspended in both directions between 96th Street and 168th Street as authorities investigated. Service has since been restored.
A search was conducted to ensure the gas did not leak underground to any of the nearby buildings before residents and students were allowed back inside.
