Today is the one-year anniversary of
the deadly Second Avenue gas explosion.
And there are several articles marking the one-year point.
NY1 talks with Mildred Guy, who lived at 119 Second Ave. for 45 years.
[S]he is still reminiscing about her old life but feeling optimistic about the future.
“I'm just grateful. I feel blessed,” she said.
While the blast and fire destroyed three buildings — 45 East Seventh St. (119 Second Ave.), 121 Second Ave. and 123 Second Ave., 15 units in total — several apartments next door at No. 125 also received substantial damage
Inside Edition, the syndicated newsmagazine, talks with several residents, including Bonnie Ramon, who lived at 125 Second Ave. She lost everything from the smoke and water damage, and eventually found a place to say in Brooklyn. She has returned, though.
"I grew up on the Lower East Side; the East Village is home to me," she said. "It’s hard not to come back."
Authorities have said that siphoned gas at 121 Second Ave. is to blame for the explosion, which killed
Moises Ismael Locón Yac and Nicholas Figueroa, and injured two dozen other people. A 21-year-old student visiting from Berkeley during spring break lost an eye and fractured his larynx. Two firefighters also suffered serious injuries.
On Feb. 11,
the DA charged No. 119 and 121 landlord Maria Hrynenko and her son, Michael Hrynenko Jr., with involuntary manslaughter ... as well as contractor Dilber Kukic and an unlicensed plumber, Athanasios Ioannidis. (A fifth person, Andrew Trombettas, faces charges for supplying his license to Ioannidis.) All pleaded not guilty.
Several weeks ago, George Pasternak, the landlord of 123 Second Ave.,
put his vacant plot of land up for sale, asking $9.7 million.
Today at 1, City Councilmember Rosie Mendez is holding a press conference to reflect on the tragedy and share legislative measures introduced to prevent future disasters,
according to the announcement.
Nora Brooks, who lived on the top floor of No. 123, relocated to Portland, Ore., with her husband Matthew.
She told Inside Edition: "I really would like people to appreciate what Maria (Hrynenko) has taken from people; the lasting effect on the neighborhood and the lives of the people who live there."
I will post photos and a recap from the press conference on Monday morning.
Previously on EV Grieve:
[Updating] Explosion on 2nd Avenue and East 7th Street
How displaced residents are faring after the 2nd Avenue gas explosion
Living out of a suitcase 6 months after the 2nd Avenue explosion
Moving on — and feeling lucky — after the 2nd Avenue explosion
A family continues to feel the loss on 2nd Avenue
Updated: 2nd Ave. explosion — landlord, 3 others charged with 2nd degree manslaughter; showed 'a blatant and callous disregard for human life'
Former residents talk about landlord Maria Hrynenko: 'it was clear she wanted to get rid of anyone with a rent-regulated apartment'
Report: 123 2nd Ave. is for sale
Selling 123 Second Ave.
And read our interviews with longtime residents of 45 E. Seventh St.
Mildred Guy and
Diane McLean.
