Another victim in last week’s building explosion in East Harlem has been identified as cleanup crews make progress in clearing the basements at the site.
Mayumi Nakamura, 34, is the last of the eight victims to be identified.
Officials had hoped they would be able to take a closer look at gas meters and piping at the site by Sunday, but there is still work to be done.
When they do get full access to the basement arson investigators will also be looking for possible points of ignition.
Con Edison and the National Transportation Safety Board will also pressure test the gas lines.
Truckloads of debris are being taken to Randall’s Island for further inspection.
Those who live in nearby buildings and were displaced by the blast are being allowed to return to retrieve their things.
Police and the Department of Homeless services have started letting people behind the barricades to collect their belongings from apartments.
Some residents say returning to the scene has been emotional.
“They’re cleaning up which looks better, the smell’s horrific, it gets you sick inside. So we’re just gathering our things. It looks like we’ll be out for a couple of months,” said one displaced resident.
“I’m a person that I don’t show my emotions, some people see me like a, right now like a normal person like a nothing happened to me but inside of me is something completely different,” said another displaced resident.
Last Wednesday’s blast happened shortly after someone in an adjacent building reported smelling gas in the area.
In addition to eight deaths, more than 60 people were injured in the explosion.
Family members of one of the victims said their final goodbye on Sunday.
Andreas Panagopoulos, 43, was remembered during a mass on the Upper West Side.
His friends and relatives also gathered in Astoria to share their reflections.
His wife remembered her husband as a talented musician and a loving man.
On Wednesday, a funeral is also being held for 44-year-old George Amadeo in the Bronx.
And a funeral for 67-year-old Carmen Tanco takes place next Monday.
A pair of congregations also gathered on Sunday to mourn and remember the victims.
Bethel Gospel Assembly Church lost two members of its congregation in the explosion, Carmen Tanco and Griselde Camacho.
Mayor Bill de Blasio was in attendance along with first lady Chirlane McCray. She announced that the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City — which she heads — has already received $ 250,000 in donations to help affected families.
The mayor also visited a house of worship being used by members of the Spanish Christian Church.
The church was located on the first floor of one of the destroyed buildings.
To make a donation, visit nyc.gov/fund, or call 311.
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