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| Two dead as New York City buildings collapse after gas blast | Two dead as New York City buildings collapse after gas blast |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two women have died after a gas leak sparked an explosion which levelled two buildings in East Harlem, New York City, authorities say. | Two women have died after a gas leak sparked an explosion which levelled two buildings in East Harlem, New York City, authorities say. |
| Eighteen others have been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky. | Eighteen others have been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky. |
| More than 250 firefighters are tackling the blaze at the scene near 116th Street and Park Avenue. | More than 250 firefighters are tackling the blaze at the scene near 116th Street and Park Avenue. |
| All train services in and out of Grand Central terminal have been halted following the incident near its tracks. | All train services in and out of Grand Central terminal have been halted following the incident near its tracks. |
| Missing people | Missing people |
| New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news conference from the scene that the gas leak had been reported to the utility company just 15 minutes before the blast on Wednesday morning. | New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said in a news conference from the scene that the gas leak had been reported to the utility company just 15 minutes before the blast on Wednesday morning. |
| Mr de Blasio said the "major explosion" had destroyed two buildings and heavily damaged other structures. | Mr de Blasio said the "major explosion" had destroyed two buildings and heavily damaged other structures. |
| A number of individuals were still missing in the area, he added. | A number of individuals were still missing in the area, he added. |
| "Every effort is being expended to locate" them, he added. | "Every effort is being expended to locate" them, he added. |
| New York fire department has elevated the incident to the highest threat level possible. | New York fire department has elevated the incident to the highest threat level possible. |
| Among the injured was a child said to be in a critical condition, CNN reports. | |
| The utility company, Con Edison, says a resident in a nearby building reported smelling gas shortly before the explosion. | The utility company, Con Edison, says a resident in a nearby building reported smelling gas shortly before the explosion. |
| Streets and pavements around the site were littered with broken glass from shattered windows. | Streets and pavements around the site were littered with broken glass from shattered windows. |
| Witnesses reported the powerful blast knocked items off shelves in nearby stores. | Witnesses reported the powerful blast knocked items off shelves in nearby stores. |
| Authorities in the area were said to be handing out medical masks to residents due to the thick white smoke at the scene. | Authorities in the area were said to be handing out medical masks to residents due to the thick white smoke at the scene. |
| A witness told the BBC "there was just a lot of panic" following the explosion. | A witness told the BBC "there was just a lot of panic" following the explosion. |
| Dan Scarvino had just emerged on to a nearby train platform when "suddenly a plume of smoke came out of nowhere". | Dan Scarvino had just emerged on to a nearby train platform when "suddenly a plume of smoke came out of nowhere". |
| "I've never seen anything like it," he added. | "I've never seen anything like it," he added. |
| A witness told the New York Daily News she had smelled gas "for weeks" before the explosion. | A witness told the New York Daily News she had smelled gas "for weeks" before the explosion. |
| "We saw people flying out of the window... those are my neighbours," Ashley Rivera said. | "We saw people flying out of the window... those are my neighbours," Ashley Rivera said. |
| Another witness told the newspaper he heard two loud explosions that shook the barber shop where he works. | Another witness told the newspaper he heard two loud explosions that shook the barber shop where he works. |
| "It was loud, like boom, boom!" Mitch Abreu said. "It rocked the whole block. | "It was loud, like boom, boom!" Mitch Abreu said. "It rocked the whole block. |
| "A window blew out of the other shop down the street," he added. | "A window blew out of the other shop down the street," he added. |
| "It looked like the [Twin] Towers all over again. People covered in dust and covering their mouths." | "It looked like the [Twin] Towers all over again. People covered in dust and covering their mouths." |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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