By Daniel Katzive
The back wheel of a large truck went into a small sinkhole or a large pothole Tuesday morning on West 89th Street between Columbus and Central Park West, damaging a gas line. The truck involved appeared to be a New York City Department of Environmental Protection work truck.
The incident occurred just before 10 a.m. and drew a large response from local FDNY units and specialized hazmat teams, as well as Con Ed emergency crews. According to the FDNY, the truck ruptured a low pressure gas main in the street. There were no injuries and gas readings in the neighborhood were negative, though a reporter on scene was able to detect a faint odor of natural gas.
A Con Ed spokesman indicated the sinkhole was caused by a water leak. Con Ed will isolate two mains in order to make repairs which will affect flow to seven service lines providing gas to customers in the area.
Con Ed and FDNY crews continue to operate at the scene this morning and residents should expect traffic disruptions.
Re: “The back wheel of a LARGE truck went into a SMALL sinkhole or LARGE pothole … damaging a gas line. The truck involved appeared to be a …Department of Environmental Protection work truck.”
Imagine the New York Post headline: ‘D.E.P. Truck Passes Gas’
By 5 pm I walked by and could feel a strong odor of natural gas.