AaronFreedman.com

The New York Times:

Authorities were investigating widespread reports today of a strong odor similar to natural gas that permeated parts of New York and New Jersey during the morning commute.

New York City agencies and the United States Coast Guard were responding to numerous calls on emergency telephone lines. Fire trucks raced around in search of the odor.

The smell was reported from Manhattan’s midtown to Battery Park City, and strong odors were reported in Jersey City, said a spokesman for New York’s emergency management office, Jarrod Bernstein.

Some office workers were evacuated from their buildings, and a woman was taken away by ambulance, apparently overcome by the smell, New York 1 television reported.

But, don’t worry, it’s just a harmless gas leak. Says NY1:

Mayor Michael Bloomberg said this morning that it is not clear what is causing the natural gas smell that has been sweeping the city, however he said it is not believed to be dangerous and that city sensors are not reporting elevated levels of natural gas.

Hundreds of reports of the odor began flooding the 911 system around 9 a.m. in parts of Manhattan and New Jersey.

Bloomberg said there was a small natural gas leak reported at 6th Street and Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village earlier this morning, but that it would not have caused such a pervasive smell.

Con Edison and city agencies are still working to determine the cause of the smell.

The mayor also said that air quality sensors throughout the city do not measure any high concentrations of natural gas that would be cause for concern, and that Con Edison has said that there has not been a drop in pressure along the natural gas line

Still, now seems like a great time for “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” It’s a gas, gas, gas!