12 March 2014

New York City building collapses after explosion in Harlem

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