Less than a week after the deadly gas explosion in the East Village, another alleged illegal gas hookup has been discovered — right across the street.
The city issued an emergency work-stoppage order on renovations at 128 Second Ave. on Monday after discovering what appeared to be at least one gas pipe in its basement being hooked up without a permit.
The move came four days after an explosion at 121 Second Ave. that leveled three buildings, killed two people and left 22 others injured.
Authorities have said they suspect illegal gas hookups might have been responsible for the deadly blast — and are investigating the general contractor and plumbers who did work at 121 Second Ave.
“I think the plumbers could be the most culpable here because if the gas line is being tapped, it’s incumbent upon them to check the pilots in the stoves of each apartment’’ afterward to make sure they are properly lit, a law enforcement source told The Post.
Tenants at 128 Second Ave. told The Post that authorities rushed to their apartment building Sunday after they complained of smelling gas. Some of the gas pipes had been loosened by the blast, and when a Con Ed supervisor investigated further, he found the illegal work being done in the cellar, tenants said.
Meanwhile, at least seven cats were reported missing after the explosion, two of which have been safely returned to their owners, according to the ASPCA.