Gas Explosion Levels Scarsdale House

Image from WABC 7

A Westchester County home nearly finished with construction was destroyed by a gas explosion this afternoon. Construction workers had smelled gas--perhaps after dislodging or cutting a gas line--and called the fire department.

According to WABC 7, the Scarsdale Fire Department had told the workers to leave, and the chief said, "As they were walking off the property and we were about to investigate, the house blew. We're very fortunate that nobody was hurt." Con Ed shut off the gas after the fire was put out.

The only part of the house that's still standing is a garage wall. The house had been under construction since October. Here are some gas safety tips from Con Ed, including "You can help protect our natural gas pipelines and other underground facilities from damage while digging. Call 811 two to ten days before starting any excavation activities on public or private property. It's the law."

Update: The NY Times reports the destroyed house was a $2.4 million home built on spec. The builder claimed the gas line was improperly marked, but Con Ed's spokeswoman disagreed, saying Con Ed had been on site earlier in the week and said, “Contractors are advised never to use a backhoe within two feet of a gas line. You do excavations next to gas lines by hand.”

The builder, Joe Daniel, said he has builder's risk insurance and would probably build the property again.