An EVG reader shared details about a gas leak reported on Thursday afternoon at 91 First Ave. between Fifth Street and Sixth Street.
From Thursday:
Workers came, dug a hole, turned off the gas set up a half-assed looking barricade and left.
ConEd on the phone said this is an "emergency situation" and therefore there were no notifications, no instructions. no information for residents.
Also said a replacement valve was "on order" and the job was in progress.
Residents (several elderly) and businesses are currently without hot water or gas for cooking.
And a weekend update:
There was a "pressure change" detected on the main line feeding into the building from the street. A gas smell was reported by someone either on the street or a resident.Several years ago (3-4?) there was an un-regulated repair on the water/sewer lines leading into 93 First Avenue that exposed more than 4 feet of gas line for 91 First Ave., which then had to be emergency-repaired by ConEd/the City.They replaced an entire block of gas line up from Fourth Street to Sixth Street at that time but left the OVER-100 year-old connector valves that actually feed into these 114-year old buildings.
So...Thursday afternoon there was a leak on our valve reported (No. 91) and ConEd came, dug a hole and said, "We're just here to dig the hole and turn it off."
Apparently, once the gas is shut off, it is no longer considered an "emergency" and since the valve "needed to be ordered" AND it happened on a Thursday work will not commence until Monday at the soonest IF they get the part delivered on time.
That means everyone in this building, during a pandemic, is currently without heat and hot water for bathing or working stoves for cooking for what will be at least four-five days.
With no notice, no support and no information from any agency involved. Residents had to call up multiple city offices to find out what was even happening.
