Nearly three weeks after a gas explosion leveled two East Harlem buildings — killing eight people — the federal agency investigating the disaster said an underground gas main in the area was riddled with leaks.
The National Transportation Safety Board had previously reported that at least one leak had been discovered in the 127-year-old gas main running beneath Park Avenue between 116th and 117th streets.
But the NTSB revealed Monday that there were actually several holes from which gas had been escaping and saturating the soil for some time before the March 12 explosion.
The agency also announced Monday that the on-scene portion of its investigation into the explosion is complete, but the hunt for answers is far from over.
The NTSB said it would be returning to its Washington headquarters with several pieces of pipe that could provide clues into what caused the devastating blast.
Other pieces of pipe from the area have been collected and also will be tested for leaks.
The NTSB said it also will be examining a piece of the 12-inch water main that burst on the day of the blast to see if it potentially led to the explosion or was caused by it.