Townhouse Blast Architect Familiar with Gas Pipes
New York, NY —
Fire Experts say monday's blast that leveled an Upper East Side townhouse was set off by someone familiar with the pipes that supplied gas to the building, but authorities say they still don't know who.
The town house was the focus of a bitter divorce dispute between Doctor Nicholas Bartha and his wife. Authorities are investigating whether Bartha might have blown up his home rather than sell it.
The 66-year-old Doctor, who was critically injured in the blast, became a possible suspect after police got a 911 call from his ex-wife. She said that just before the explosion, he sent her an e-mail warming her that he would leave the house only if he was dead.
The explosion injured at least 15 people, including five civilians and 10 firefighters.
