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East Harlem 'explosion': Building collapse in New York City leaves nearly a dozen injured East Harlem 'explosion': Two dead and at least 17 injured in New York City building collapse
(35 minutes later)
Two people are thought to be dead and 20 injured after two apartment buildings in Harlem partially collapsed following a massive explosion earlier today.  Two people are dead and at least 17 injured after two apartment buildings in East Harlem partially collapsed following a massive explosion earlier today. 
Emergency crews and firemen from across New York City rushed to the scene as a large plume of dark smoke fanned across the city following the incident, which happened just as the morning rush hour was coming to an end. Emergency crews and firemen from across New York City rushed to the scene as a large plume of dark smoke fanned across the city following the incident, which happened just as the morning rush hour was coming to an end. 
It was visible within minutes from the bustling heart of commercial Midtown.It was visible within minutes from the bustling heart of commercial Midtown.
Matt Washington, chairman of Community Board 11 which represents East Harlem, told NBC that at least two people had died and 20 were hurt as a result of the blast.Matt Washington, chairman of Community Board 11 which represents East Harlem, told NBC that at least two people had died and 20 were hurt as a result of the blast.
Witnesses, many on their way to work and some still in their apartments, said they had heard a very loud blast from where the apartment building once stood at East 115th St and Park Avenue in Harlem.Witnesses, many on their way to work and some still in their apartments, said they had heard a very loud blast from where the apartment building once stood at East 115th St and Park Avenue in Harlem.
First reports said the building, which is thought to have been about five storeys, had been destroyed by the blast.  First reports said the building, which is thought to have been about five storeys, had been destroyed by the blast.
A car that had been parked outside had also been incinerated.A car that had been parked outside had also been incinerated.
“It shook my building and I am six blocks south,” one nearby resident told MSNBC News.“It shook my building and I am six blocks south,” one nearby resident told MSNBC News.
“It did feel like a big clap of thunder. It is a little worrying to know the cause.” He said that even though he lives six blocks away from the fire his building was shaken by the explosion.  “It did feel like a big clap of thunder. It is a little worrying to know the cause.” He said that even though he lives six blocks away from the fire his building was shaken by the explosion.
No fewer than 39 units of the New York Fire Department were sent to the scene, officials said, involving almost 200 firemen.  No fewer than 39 units of the New York Fire Department were sent to the scene, officials said, involving almost 200 firemen.
First glimpses of the site revealed that debris had been spread over a large area, including across the tracks of a main commuter train line into New York from the North and Connecticut. One of the busiest train corridors in the nation, it has been shut down pending the scene being brought under control.First glimpses of the site revealed that debris had been spread over a large area, including across the tracks of a main commuter train line into New York from the North and Connecticut. One of the busiest train corridors in the nation, it has been shut down pending the scene being brought under control.
While the neighbourhood is among the most densely populated in New York there was still no early word on numbers of possible victims or indeed whether any residents of the structure or local workers might have been trapped by the collapse. Rescue workers remove an injured person on a stretcher after a possible explosion and building collapse in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York While the neighbourhood is among the most densely populated in New York there was still no early word on numbers of possible victims or indeed whether any residents of the structure or local workers might have been trapped by the collapse.
The leading theory of the cause of the blast was that it might have been some kind of gas explosion.  The leading theory of the cause of the blast was that it might have been some kind of gas explosion.
Investigators will be trying to determine if any work was being done in the vicinity, perhaps on gas lines, in the minutes before it happened.  Most of the buildings in this area feature commercial spaces and shops on the street level and then apartments above them. Heavy smoke pours from the debris as the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) responds to a 5-alarm fire and building collapse at 1646 Park Ave in the Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan in New York Investigators will be trying to determine if any work was being done in the vicinity, perhaps on gas lines, in the minutes before it happened.  Most of the buildings in this area feature commercial spaces and shops on the street level and then apartments above them.
 
Another resident of the area spoke of “debris in the air” that he saw rising after hearing the boom.  “It looked like like paper and other products”, he said.Another resident of the area spoke of “debris in the air” that he saw rising after hearing the boom.  “It looked like like paper and other products”, he said.
Another witness told the New York Daily News: "It was loud, like boom, boom!" Mitch Abreu said. "It rocked the whole block. A map showing the location of the Harlem 'explosion' on 12 March 2014 Another witness told the New York Daily News: "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. It looked like the [Twin] Towers all over again. People covered in dust and covering their mouths.""A window blew out of the other shop down the street. It looked like the [Twin] Towers all over again. People covered in dust and covering their mouths."