East Village Building Collapses in Flames After Apparent Explosion
A building in Manhattan's East Village has reportedly collapsed following a large explosion. Hundreds of fire firefighters are reportedly at the scene, battling what's become a seven-alarm blaze. The New York Post is reporting that as many as 30 people are missing while the New York Daily News reports that at least six people—including two firefighters—have been injured, one critically.
UPDATE 11:07 pm: Video of the actual explosion:
#EXCLUSIVE new video shows moment of explosion in the #EastVillage http://t.co/7DEjUN6LMF #ABC7NY
— Jay Holder (@jauntingjourno) March 27, 2015
UPDATE 5:47 pm: Mayor Bill de Blasio says the explosion appears to have been caused by a gas leak.
"Preliminary evidence suggests a gas related explosion. That investigation is ongoing." - Mayor @BilldeBlasio.
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 26, 2015
"At this moment we know of 12 individuals who have been injured, three in critical condition." - Mayor @BilldeBlasio.
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 26, 2015
BREAKING: per @MarcSantia4NY crew working inside #sushi restaurant accidentally hit #gas line #EastVillage #explosion #NBC4NY
— Andrew Siff (@andrewsiff4NY) March 26, 2015
UPDATE 4:43 pm: At least 12 people were injured in the collapse, according to CBS News. Three of those injuries are reportedly critical.
"We heard a big sound, then three or four people fell on the street," one witness told Reuters. "People were running and screaming."
UPDATE 4:20 pm: CBS New York is reporting that two people are in critical condition following the explosion.
MAN 7-ALARM 125 2 AVE, MIXED OCCUPANCY MAJOR BUILDING COLLAPSE,
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 26, 2015
Now #FDNY operating on-scene at 123 2nd Avenue in Manhattan. pic.twitter.com/bg8vx1TwLX
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 26, 2015
From the scene of the 2nd Ave building collapse http://t.co/HY5AjtbmeL pic.twitter.com/o9IPpxzajr
— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) March 26, 2015
#BREAKING: Aerial view of building collapse @NYPD9Pct. Numerous rescue units on scene #SOD #ESU #K9 #Aviation #FD pic.twitter.com/d9iX4GOBUd
— NYPD Special Ops (@NYPDSpecialops) March 26, 2015
U/D Manhattan: 125 2 Ave FDNY reporting 3 FireFighters missing. Search on the way 10-66 Transmitted. #FDNY #BREAKING pic.twitter.com/AftWTCRNCg
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) March 26, 2015
@MarkCrudele yes it seemed to be an explosion inside the bldg. Ppl were trapped in upper floors. I left the scene asap. Police/fire arriving
— Lauren Trivellini (@laurenkell) March 26, 2015
Crazy explosion on 7 and 2nd east village #fire #explosion pic.twitter.com/U3Z4mx3Wut
— J K (@Jamie_S_Kennedy) March 26, 2015
A photo, via Google Maps, of the building at 125 2nd Ave. before the explosion:
