NTSB Finds Leak in Gas Main at Harlem Blast Site

Federal investigators say a gas main leak has been discovered near the site of last week's deadly New York City building explosion but it has not been identified as the cause of the blast.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday the 8-inch main on Park Avenue failed a pressure test. It said the leak was found at normal operating pressure using a tracer gas.

The leak was adjacent to 1646 Park Avenue, one of the buildings leveled by the blast that killed eight people.

NTSB spokesman Eric Weiss said the agency would not issue any findings about the cause of the explosion until much further along in its investigation.

Authorities have said the blast erupted about 15 minutes after someone from a neighboring building reported smelling gas.

(Copyright 2014 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)