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East Village Is Riddled With Gas, Fire Safety, And Construction Violations
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 9, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2015
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Apr 9, 2015
Modified Apr 9, 2015
Share
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In the wake of last month's devastating gas explosion that took down three buildings in the East Village, killed two men, and injured dozens, city inspectors have issued a significant number of building violations in the area, with complaints including illegal boiler and gas work, lack of gas, and serious fire hazards.
The Wall Street Journal reports that 117 Second Avenue, 46 East 7th Street, and 96 Second Avenue have all been cited for violations following the March 26th blast. Disturbingly, the buildings' owner, Maria Hrynenko, was also the owner of 119 and 121 Second Avenue, the latter of which served as the explosion's ground zero likely thanks to illegal gas tapping.
According to the Department of Buildings's website, 117 2nd Avenue has 20 open violations, and has been slapped with a partial vacate order, though that seems to be thanks to the fire and building collapses nearby. Violations include improperly installed gas meter, another illegal plumbing work and illegal boiler work. The other two buildings warranted plumbing-related DOB complaints yesterday.
Hyrnenko's buildings aren't the only ones in the area that seem rife with safety violations. Gas leak complaints have been on the rise since the explosion. 128 Second Avenue has had its gas shut off for over a week after inspectors discovered illegal gas piping in its basement.
Icon Realty, which owns the property, claims the piping was installed by Stage Restaurant owner Roman Diakun, who denies the charge. Tenants told us last week that they've been having issues with gas and heat since Icon purchased the building in 2013, and that a broken fire escape in the building has been so problematic that the security guards were called in to escort tenants out in case of a fire.
Meanwhile, investigators are continuing to look into the cause of last month's explosion. The Post's sources say homicide charges may be forthcoming, with suspects including Hrynenko, her son Michael Hrynenko, and contractor Dilber Kukic, who had open permits from the DOB to work on 121 Second Avenue. An unnamed plumber allegedly "confessed" to siphoning gas at the insistence of the Hrynenkos, though Maria Hrynenko's attorney denies that his client had knowledge of any wrongdoing.
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Rebecca Fishbein
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