Gas Main Explosion Levels Building in East Village; Scores Injured

Details
Category: Crime
Published on Thursday, 26 March 2015 15:09
Written by Janet Walker

A suspected gas main explosion leveled a building on Manhattan’s lower east side injuring dozens some critical as firefighters attempted to contain the quickly spreading seven alarm inferno before it consumed the adjoining buildings.

The call went out shortly after 4:00pm (EST) of a gas main explosion and building collapse on Second Avenue and 7th Street in the neighborhood known as St. Mark’s Place, and quickly became a raging inferno as the NYPD tried desperately to stop the blaze.

Reports from the scene indicate as many as four residential buildings have been affected, two completely destroyed, two partially damaged.

Thick black plumes of smoke filled the afternoon sky as the rapidly spreading fire jumped from building to building from the epicenter of 121 Second Avenue a mixed occupancy building with retail food service on the ground level and rental units making up the remainder of space.

Witnesses said the force form the initial explosion caused the glass to ripple, like rubber, and pushed people forward.

Some of the injured walked out of the building, in shock and bleeding profusely, others were badly burned and transported to area hospitals.

The block of 121 and 123 Second Avenue have been totally obliterated. 

 

This is a developing story.

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