Building Explosion And Collapse Kills 2 In Harlem

An explosion in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood caused two buildings to collapse, killing two and injuring several.

As New York’s morning rush hour was underway Harlem residents living on, or around, East 116th Street and Park Avenue were met with a chaotic scene.

New York Police, and Fire Department officials say that at around 9:30 am New York Time (13:30 GMT) a fire triggered an explosion, sending two residential buildings into flames. The two buildings attached to each other, consisted of residential units, on top, with commercial stores beneath.

According to residents, a gas fume had been present for weeks.  Witnesses at the scene also described seeing people flying from the windows, and several others severely injured with flying glass and debris, and being carried off to nearby Harlem Hospital.
The explosion and building collapse suspended train service on Metro North, the commuter service that runs along Park Avenue in Harlem.

The blast reportedly damaged several neighboring stores, shattering storefront windows of nearby residential buildings.
Details of the carnage, and what caused the explosion are still under investigation.