Seven Alarm Fire at Four Buildings in 2nd Ave. New York
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EAST VILLAGE, New York, March 26, 2015 (WABC) — Two hundred fire fighters are on scene of an explosion and partial collapse at apartment buildings in Manhattan Thursday, ABC 7 in New York reports. Twelve people are injured total, according to reports, with three in critical condition.
The FDNY says two of those patients were taken to Cornell with serious burns and a third unconscious patient was taken to Bellevue. The majority of the injuries happened at the time of the explosion, officials say.
The blast happened on Second Avenue at East 7th Street in the East Village around 3:15 p.m.
Images of the explosion and the ensuing fire began to appear on social media this afternoon.
Mayor Bill de Blasio said four buildings were affected: building 119, 121, 123 and 125 2nd Ave. Buildings 121 and 123 collapsed, and 119 is in danger of collapse. Preliminary investigation suggests gas leak due to gas work in building 121. Hazmat teams are responding for environmental impact.
The weather and wind are not affecting the firefighters fighting the blaze, according to ABC7.
According to a retired deputy fire chief, the fire will likely take several days to put out. The ground floor of the building was home to a restaurant, which may have had a large gas supply, he said. The gas has not yet been turned off. The building is 100 years old. The building is seven stories and is a mixed-use residential and commercial building.
Second Avenue is currently closed between 14th Street and Houston Street. Officials advised people in the surrounding area to keep their windows closed and to limit time outside.
Call 311 report someone missing or find someone.
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