Gas leak at Upper East Side mansion records readings at ‘explosive levels’ as all residents are evacuated
- Firefighters responded to the situation at 14 E 63rd St. before noon Wednesday
- All residents have been evacuated from the building and roads closed
- FDNY said readings show gas levels in the basement of the building are high, with a potential for an explosion
A major gas leak has been reported at an Upper East Side mansion in New York City with officials warning the readings are at ‘explosive levels’.
All residents have been evacuated from the building and roads have been closed in the area as firefighters respond to the situation at 14 E 63rd St.
Multiple Fire Department New York (FDNY) firefighters were pictured on the scene on the street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue soon before midday Wednesday.
The FDNY warned readings show gas levels in the basement of the building are high, meaning there is a potential for an explosion.
A major gas leak has been reported at an Upper East Side mansion in New York City with officials warning the readings are at ‘explosive levels’
Firefighters are pictured responding to the situation at 14 E 63rd St.
All residents have been evacuated from the building and roads have been closed in the area
Concerns of a gas leak were first reported around 10:45 a.m. in the vicinity around Fifth Avenue and E 63rd St, close to where a major gas main excavation is taking place.
Crews from gas supplier Con Edison as well as FDNY responded to the scene.
Firefighters confirmed there was a ‘severe’ gas leak in a building located at 14 E 63rd St., with gas levels in the basement of the building at explosive levels.
Roads were shuttered and residents evacuated to safety and more FDNY fire engines were said to be on route to assist soon after midday.
The New York City Emergency Management Department released a statement around midday saying from 12 E 63rd St and 16 E 63rd St had also been evacuated as a precaution.
It is not clear who owns the building or if it is currently a residential or commercial space.
Multiple Fire Department New York (FDNY) firefighters were pictured on the scene on the street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue soon before midday Wednesday
The affluent Manhattan neighborhood is a stone’s throw from Central Park and Fifth Avenue
The FDNY warned readings show gas levels in the basement of the building are high, meaning there is a potential for an explosion
The scene of the gas leak is close to where a major gas main excavation is taking place
The building was last on the market in 2015 when it sold for $22,250,000 as a seven-bed, five-bath townhouse.
According to Streeteasy, the building appears to have been converted into six separate units.
It is based in the affluent Lenox Hill neighborhood in Manhattan and is just a stone’s throw from both Central Park and New York’s shopping hub Fifth Avenue.
This story is developing.
The building (pictured) was last on the market in 2015 when it sold for $22,250,000 as a seven-bed, five-bath townhouse