Gas Leak Closes Streets in West Harrison

A gas leak near the intersection of Gainsborg Avenue and Harrison Street drew a responce from Consolidated Edison crews and three fire departments Thursday.

Someone in nearby Preston Elementary School reported the smell of gas around 10 a.m. Authorities said there was natural gas leaking from a manhole cover somewhere near the intersection, which is only a few hundred feet from the school.

Firefighters went into about 30 homes in the area to check gas readings. Assistant West Harrison Fire Chief Michael Pellegrino said no one was in danger, but confirmed there was a leak of natural gas under Harrison Street.

"All I know is they (Con Edison) told me there were high readings of gas in the manholes," Pellegrino said.

Neither the elementary school, nor nearby homes were evacuated. Consolidated Edison crews were on the scene investigating the source of the gas, which could be anywhere in a two or three block radius of the intersection.

Firefighters used a gas meter inside homes in the area before determining that no one was in danger at about 12 p.m. Authorities also probed manholes along Harrison Street to check for gas levels, trying to find the source.

Pellegrino said if gas levels were found to be high above the ground, the situation could have become dangerous.

"We could have an explosion in a house or something like that," he said. "That's why we checked all the houses and evacuated if anything was high, but there was nothing in any of the houses."

The scene was cleared by 12 p.m.

The West Harrison, Purchase and North White Plains Fire Departments reported to the scene.

The area surrounding Gainsborg Avenue and Harrison Street remained closed until after 12:30 p.m. as Consolidated Edison investigated the scene.

Authorities said they do not know at this time exactly how much gas leaked. A Consolidated Edison official at the scene said an investigation is pending.