Possible Gas Explosion Causes Building Collapse in New York City
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http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/building-collapses-new-york-city-fire-officials-say-n330821
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/building-collapses-new-york-city-fire-officials-say-n330821
A building collapsed and started a massive fire after a possible gas leak in downtown Manhattan, fire officials and witnesses said Thursday.
The Fire Department of New York said on Twitter it was responding to the scene of a "major building collapse" and 7- alarm fire engulfing two buildings on Second Avenue and 7th Street in Manhattan's East Village. The FDNY said there were reports of a gas leak and explosion before the collapse.
Three people were transported to local hospitals, two with serious burns and the other was unconscious, the FDNY said, and at least 12 people were injured. Multiple people were being treated at the scene.
A photo posted by the FDNY appeared to show one building fully collapsed, with another partially collapsed at the ground level while firefighters worked to put out huge billows of smoke and flames.
Nolan Hayes, who was at a nearby Starbucks at the time, told NBC New York he heard a "very loud" sound when the building collapsed.
"We walked outside and noticed a lot more smoke than we expected ... You look outside and see no building being there at all," he said.
Initial video and photos posted to social media showed huge flames shooting out of the front of the building, which appeared to house a restaurant on the ground floor, and thick plumes of white smoke billowing from the building, NBC New York reported.
Adil Choudhury, who lives a block away from the collapsed building, told The Associated Press he ran outside after hearing "a huge boom."
"Already there was smoke everywhere" when he saw the building, he said. "The flames were coming out from the roof. The fire was coming out of every window."
Fire officials initially reported it was responding to a 2-alarm fire, which quickly escalated by around 4 p.m. ET. New York energy company Con Edison was also responding to the scene and said they were shutting down gas in Second Avenue area.
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— Daniella Silva
This is a developing story.
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