article_snippet.sent: The gas was apparently being siphoned from the sushi restaurant to tenants in the building.
article_snippet.sent: Investigators suspect the illegal hookup was switched before Con Ed inspectors visited the building on March 26, and after Investigators left, it was put back, the New York Post  reported.
article_snippet.sent: In August, utility workers found that the gas line had been illegally tapped, Con Ed said.
article_snippet.sent: The discovery led Con Ed to shut down gas service to the building for about 10 days while the building owner made repairs.
article_snippet.sent: Gas service was restored after the utility deemed Gas service safe.
article_snippet.sent: Inspectors from Con Ed visited that building about an hour before the explosion and determined work to upgrade gas service didn't pass inspection, locking the gas line to ensure the gas line wouldn't be used.
article_snippet.sent: The work underway was to put in a bigger line to serve the building, according to Con Ed.
article_snippet.sent: But 15 minutes after the workers left, the smell of gas was reported.
article_snippet.sent: No one called 911 or Con Ed.
article_snippet.sent: Instead, Michael Hrynenko and a contractor, Dilber Kukic, opened the basement door to check on where the smell of gas was coming from.