Owners of the Sunoco gas station on Lake Avenue removed the canopy over the gas pumps Monday, and city officials shut the demolition job down while they await a permit application and more information.
Building Official Leo Null said he sent out a building inspector as soon as he heard about it and shut down the job. The canopy demolition had no permit. The canopy was large enough to fall either into Lake Avenue or into the Convenience Store. The store remained open during the demolition.
Workers at the site said both the gas pumps and the underground storage tanks had already been removed.
Danbury's Permit Coordinator Sean Hearty called the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to see if they approved anyone removing underground gas storage tanks.
While Hearty visited the site, he saw workers had struck and ruptured a sewer line. He asked if they called the utility service, "Call Before You Dig," and they said yes. Hearty is checking with Call Before You Dig, too.
Conrad Haddad, who owns the convenience store next to the former Sunoco said his uncle owned the gas station and it wasn't making money. He closed it.
Hearty said at 5 p.m. he heard from the owner who told him Consumer Petroleum removed the tanks. Hearty said that firm has a good reputation and that part of the job was probably done correctly. He said that leaves the question of no permit for removing the gas pumps, which have blast-proof electrical connections. Hearty said that work is best done by a licensed electrician.
The other outstanding issue is no demolition permit for removing the awning. Hearty has not heard back from either Call before you dig or the state DEEP.
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