{UAH} Massive NYC blast levels buildings, kills 2

Massive NYC blast levels buildings, kills 2

LIVE2: Mayor Bill de Blasio gives an update

 

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio provides an update on the deadly apartment building explosion in East Harlem LIVE NOW.

CTV News Channel: My car was damaged: witness

 

New York resident George Lizzano, a witness to the collapse, says several people have been injured and many looked to be without vital signs

CTV News Channel: Smaller version of 9-11: witness

 

Joseph Kali, a witness to the collapse says he sees a smaller version of 9-11 with all the dedicated emergency crews scrambling to help.

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CTVNews.ca Staff 
Published Wednesday, March 12, 2014 10:02AM EDT 
Last Updated Wednesday, March 12, 2014 12:22PM EDT

Two people have died after a massive New York City explosion levelled two buildings.

At least 15 people were injured in the blast, which caused the collapse of two buildings on Park Avenue in East Harlem.

Utility company ConEdison tweeted that it was responding to reports of a gas odour in the area just before the explosion occurred.

It’s unknown if any people are trapped at the site.

A local TV station is reporting that residents heard a loud explosion around 9 a.m.

“Everybody got scared because the blast was so strong,” George Lizzano, whose office is nearby, told CTV News Channel Wednesday.

“All the buildings (were) moving and shaking like an earthquake.”

Lizzano said he saw people being taken away on stretchers, bleeding and seemingly unresponsive.

TV footage showed heavy smoke billowing from the buildings and firefighters blasting water on the site from extended ladders.

CNN reported that nearby buildings are being evacuated.  It also reported that firefighters are handing out masks to residents in the area because the smoke is so thick.

A number of cars parked along the street in front of the buildings were crushed by falling debris. Police have cordoned off a two-block radius.

The site of the reported explosion is near train tracks. Commuter train service in the area has been temporarily suspended.

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Gwokto La'Kitgum

"Even a small dog can piss on a tall Building", Jim Hightower