[Photo from March 26 by George Jarema via Facebook]
In an exclusive today, the Post reports that an unnamed plumber "has admitted to illegally tapping into a gas line" at 121 Second Ave. at the orders of the landlord's son, Michael Hrynenko Jr.
Per the Post:
The unidentified tradesman confessed to rigging a gas-supply system for apartments at 121 Second Ave. but blamed it on his boss to “deflect” any fault from himself, law-enforcement sources said.
Authorities haven’t decided whether to cut a deal with the worker in exchange for his testimony or use his statement against him, one source said.
Sources told the Post that anyone suspected of causing the devastation, which killed two men and injured more than 20 people, "could face charges including second-degree manslaughter and reckless endangerment."
As previously reported, authorities believe that an improperly and possibly illegally installed gas line at 121 Second Ave. led to the destruction three buildings on March 26.
In other developments, the Post reports that landlord Maria Hrynenko has hired a new attorney, replacing Thomas Curtis who had previously spoke out on her behalf with mixed results.
"It wasn't working out between us," Curtis told the Post. "The whole thing is very strange. I think she's made a mistake."