By Gus Saltonstall
A high-pressure gas line was struck Wednesday morning in Morningside Heights, prompting building evacuations and suspending train service, according to police and the MTA.
The gas line was struck around 11 a.m. at West 122nd Street and Broadway, police said. There were no injuries, but there was a deafening sound that lasted for around an hour, before repair work eventually stopped it. There was a strong smell of gas in the surrounding area, and nearby buildings were evacuated, according to police, NBC, and firsthand reports.
FDNY told CBS that the gas main was fractured during a street excavation procedure happening on Broadway.
“Folks on 122nd Street have been evacuated, and there’s a strong smell of gas even over on Amsterdam Avenue where I am currently,” Jeremy Goldman wrote to West Side Rag around noon.
Among the buildings evacuated was the Manhattan School of Music at 130 Claremont Avenue, between West 122nd and 123rd streets, ABC7 reported.
Due to the needed repair work, 1 trains were suspended in both directions between 96th and 168th streets on Wednesday from around 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 P.M., when they resumed with delays, according to the MTA.
This is a developing story, please check back in for updates.
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By Tuesday, do you mean Wednesday? (today)
Yes, thank you! Fixed.
The loud sound actually continued for a whole hour, it started shortly after 11 and stopped around 12. That’s when it was reported that ConEd shut the valves.
Thanks, Rag, for updating the story!
What kind of sound was it? Like a screeching or an alarm?
Not at all! It sounded like a really loud, industrial strength fan blowing right at you. Gas leak was the last thing on my mind.
It must have been an unbelievably loud hissing sound since I could hear it loud and clear at Amsterdam and 117th.
I’m just glad no one was hurt. Seems like the outcome might have been much much worse.
What are they doing in the street, paving?