This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26549431

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
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.
Scores of others have been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky.Scores of others have been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky.
More than 250 firefighters tackled the blaze at the scene near 116th Street and Park Avenue.More than 250 firefighters tackled the blaze at the scene near 116th Street and Park Avenue.
Some train service from Grand Central Terminal has been restored after a complete halt earlier in the day. Train services at Grand Central Terminal have been partially restored after a complete halt earlier.
Missing peopleMissing 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 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.
At least a dozen individuals were still missing in the area as of Wednesday afternoon. About a dozen individuals were still missing in the area as of Wednesday afternoon.
"Every effort is being expended to locate" them, Mr de Blasio said. New York fire department elevated the incident to the highest threat level possible.
New York fire department has elevated the incident to the highest threat level possible. It said 22 people had been hurt, but a tally of local hospitals by ABC News found that 64 people had been admitted with injuries as a result of the incident.
It said 22 people had been hurt, but a tally of local hospitals by ABC News found that 64 people were admitted with injuries as a result of the incident.
That figure included seven children, one of whom was in a critical condition.That figure included seven children, one of whom was in a critical condition.
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.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions