Earlier this morning we heard about the explosion at 1644-1646 Park Avenue. The cause of the explosion was a gas leak that had been reported to ConEd 15 minutes earlier. Recent reports say
about 168 police and fire officials in NYC responded to an explosion at an occupied building on 116th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan that happened at 9:13am this morning.
The ConEd prevoiusly alerted about a a heavy gas odor, arrived just before the explosion, which caused a 5-alarm fire and the building to collapse.
The shocking photos are not the worst but the awful incident leaves us at least two people are dead. A senior city official suggested that there would most likely be more fatalities. As of 2pm, there were 20 injuries being treated, at least two of them life-threatening. Over a dozen people are still missing.
The New York Times reports at least two people are dead. A senior city official suggested that there would most likely be more fatalities. As of 2pm, there were 20 injuries being treated, at least two of them life-threatening. Over a dozen people are still missing.
ABC reports that 2 off-duty FBI agents and an off-duty NYPD officer were among those injured.
Mayor de Blasio spoke to the press earlier this afternoon.
“This is a tragedy of the worst kind because there was no indication in time to save people,” the Mayor said.
Devastating photos and videos have been posted onTwitter and Instagram from users near the area.
From the images the wreckage, the massive emergency response, and the eerie grayness of the neighborhood is loud and clear. More than 250 firefighters were on the scene, working to contain a heavy fire that resulted from the explosion and to conduct search and rescue efforts.
The explosion leveled an apartment building, and sent flames and billowing black smoke above the skyline.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their friends and families.
