New York mayor says no danger from gas smell in region (Roundup)

Jan 8, 2007, 17:29 GMT

New York - A strong, unpleasant gas smell wafted over parts of lower Manhattan in New York City Monday, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg reassured residents that the city was not in danger and it was not a terrorist act.

The smell caused authorities to halt traffic on several subway trains and order evacuation in some buildings during Monday morning's rush hour. But traffic on the surface and subway lines resumed by mid-morning.

'The sensors do not show any high concentration of natural gas that would give us cause to be concerned,' Bloomberg said. He said some residents called emergency phone numbers to report the unpleasant odour passing through their areas.

'The one thing we are confident of is that it is not dangerous,' the mayor said. 'You could not ignite it.'

Bloomberg urged residents to ventilate their buildings to dissipate the gas smell, which could be industrial gas or additive gas as authorities detected no major gas leak in the city of more than 8 million people.

To make the situation worse, the city was shrouded with dark clouds. Pouring rain battered commuters trying to reach their offices. Strong winds also quickly blew away the suspicious gas smell.

Authorities said there might have been a small leak in lower Manhattan at Bleeker Street and 6th Avenue, but not one large enough to explain the odour that spread across New York City and large parts of New Jersey. They ordered an investigation.