An unidentified plumber has admitted to illegally tapping the gas line at 121 2nd Avenue, the site of March 26th’s fatal explosion. The New York Post reports that the plumber confessed to rigging an illegal hookup to supply gas to the building’s upstairs apartments under the orders of Michael Hrynenko Jr., the landlord’s son.
“Investigators suspect an illegal hook-up in the building was removed from a gas line ahead of a Con Ed inspection on the day of the explosion, then reinstalled before the devastating blast about 30 minutes later,” the Post reports.
Investigators haven’t decided whether to cut a deal with the plumber in exchange for his testimony or to use his statement against him, sources say. The plumber is not Dilber Kukic, the allegedly unethical general contractor who was in the building with Hrynenko Jr. at the time of the explosion.
The Post’s sources say that whoever is found responsible for the explosion could face charges of second-degree manslaughter and reckless endangerment.
(Photo: FDNY)
