Binghamton Businesses Evacuated Due to Natural Gas Leak

A section of Robinson Street on Binghamton's East Side was closed after workers in a business reported smelling natural gas.

Binghamton firefighters were sent to the two-story commercial building at 119 Robinson Street shortly before 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Police detoured traffic around the scene as fire department personnel and NYSEG workers assessed the situation.

Part of Griswold Street near the entrance to the Cortese Restaurant parking lot also was closed.

Mark Knebel, who owns an insurance agency that has an office in the building, said his business and a neighboring salon were closed because of the natural gas leak. He said employees of the salon had detected the natural gas odor.

Knebel said a NYSEG crew using a bucket truck disconnected the electric line leading to the building.

Authorities said the gas leak was traced to a vacant second floor apartment.

Firefighters used fans to ventilate the building. They were on the scene for over an hour.

According to property records, the building where the leak occurred is owned by Cortese Restaurant Incorporated.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.