New York Building Explosion; 19 Injured, 4 Critical

A powerful explosion in New York’s east village on Thursday caused two buildings to collapse and ignited a large fire that quickly spread to neighboring buildings, leaving at least 19 people injured and 4 people in critical conditions. At least one person was reported missing.

According to New York Times, as the fire raged in the East Village neighborhood, there were desperate attempts to flee, with residents jumping from fire escapes, and dramatic rescues, with one man climbing through the smoke to look for people who might have been stranded and others pulling a woman to safety.

The blaze was so intense that firefighters at one point had to withdraw from the buildings and engage in what one official called a “defensive outside attack,” pumping a deluge of water onto the structures.

According to the Mayor, Bill de Blasio, during a news conference at the scene, said “preliminary evidence suggests a gas-related explosion” was caused by plumbing and gas work being done at 121 Second Avenue, near Seventh Street. The explosion and ensuing fire destroyed that building and led to the collapse of an adjacent building, 123 Second Avenue.

The area was evacuated, and the city’s health department advised residents to keep their windows closed because of the smoke. Firefighters continued pouring water on the buildings for hours after the explosion, in an area of old tenement buildings that are home to students and longtime residents near New York University and Washington Square Park.

In addition to the collapsed building, at 121 2nd Avenue, another building next door was “in danger of possible collapse,” according to FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro. Two other nearby buildings were affected by the explosion.