East Harlem Explosion Highlights Risk of Natural Gas Leaks

Recent studies have raised concern about aging pipeline in older U.S. cities.

At least two people were killed and 16 more were injured, some seriously, in the collapse of two buildings and fire, said the New York Fire Department. Authorities, still fighting the fire and searching for victims, had reached no immediate conclusion on the cause of the explosion, but Con Edison said it was working closely with the NYFD. (Related: Q&A: How Do Explosions Cause Building Collapses Like Harlem's?)

The explosion comes at a time when utility companies in many parts of the United States are grappling with a difficult problem: what to do about aging natural gas mains, many of them in difficult-to-access locations in older urban areas, which have deteriorated and are prone to leaking. The gas mains that

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THIS STORY!
Create a free account to continue and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles, plus newsletters.

Create your free account to continue reading

No credit card required. Unlimited access to free content.
Or get a Premium Subscription to access the best of Nat Geo - just $19
SUBSCRIBE

Read This Next

SeaWorld violated the Animal Welfare Act. Why is it still open?
'World’s worst shipwreck' was bloodier than we thought
World’s first ultrasounds of wild manta rays reveal a troubling truth

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet