An explosion caused the swift and entire collapse of a building in
the East Harlem neighborhood of New York on Wednesday, causing at least
one death and 16 injuries.
Smoke poured from a building site
at 116th Street and Park Avenue as first responders investigated the
chaotic scene. The site is next to train tracks and blocks away from the
north border of Central Park.
The New York fire department said
it had sent 168 firefighters from 39 units to the scene. The
Associated Press said one person with “serious trauma” was being treated
at the nearby Harlem hospital . More injured people were expected, said
Lamarr Nelson, a hospital spokesman.
At least 16 people with
minor injuries were treated at the scene, and the New York Police
Department confirmed one person had died. No further details were
available.
Residents heard a large explosion around 9am. One
five-story building was reduced to rubble, and a second building also
was significantly damaged. The power company, Con Edison, said it had
been responding to reports of a smell of gas when the explosion happened.
Metro-North train service was suspended in both directions. The Metropolitan Transit Authority said:
“All train service into and out of Grand Central terminal is
temporarily suspended until further notice due to a building explosion
adjacent to our tracks.”
The mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, was due to hold a press conference at the scene at 12 noon ET