NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The FDNY shut down an illegal propane distribution site in Queens on Monday that officials said had enough propane to blow up multiple city blocks.
Following a tip from a neighbor who smelled gas, the FDNY found a site containing 236 propane cylinders, filled with both 20-pound and 100-pound propane cylinders with nearly half leaking gas at 32-49 104th Street in Elmhurst.
The location had one- and two-family houses nearby and according to FDNY, the leaking tanks had the potential to cause an explosion large enough to devastate four city blocks.
“They can take out six or seven houses, just the 20-pounder,” Darryl Chalmers, representing fire inspectors in the Local 2507 union, told the Daily News. “That’s how dangerous it is.”
Officials removed the hazardous cylinders from the site.
The co-owner of the business was arrested in connection with the operation.
The FDNY continues to urge the public to call 311 and report any suspicious or dangerous conditions.