Authorities respond to massive explosion in East Harlem

[ehrnst]

Source: CNN

New York police and fire officials were responding to reports of a massive explosion in Manhattan's East Harlem, authorities said Wednesday.
There were at least 11 minor injuries as clouds of dark smoke rose over the residential neighborhood of red-brick tenements, fire officials said.

Metro North commuter rail service, which runs along the site of the blast on Park Avenue, was suspended, officials said.

"Two buildings have collapsed. I hope there is no one in there. It's just rubble," a worker at a nearby flea market said."



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/12/us/manhattan-building-explosion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

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1644 Park Avenue:

https://www.google.com/maps/@40.799655,-73.943159,3a,75y,290.6h,90t/data=!3m4!1e1!3m2!1sUO4eEzH6wIaeVtxjbK0bEg!2e0

[ehrnst]

1. People still inside of building, more video coming in

http://pix11.com/2014/03/12/explosion-reported-at-east-harlem-building/

[alsame]

2. Live stream

http://gothamist.com/2014/03/12/explosion_harlem.php

People in area saying they smelled gas last night

[Voice for Peace]

3. My daughter lives a mile from there, I am not able to reach her

Trusting she is ok but very worried

[Mz Pip]

7. My son lives on Madison

About 5 blocks from there. We talked to him. He was at work but all was okay back at the apt. Seems to be a localized gas explosion.

Scary stuff.

[Voice for Peace]

8. thanks for your post.. I'm sure she is fine and just not able to call or text.

She was in Madagascar when the tsunami in Indonesia
happened, and I couldn't reach her for almost a week.
This feels like that. You know the odds are so small,
but still I wish she'd phone.

It does seem localized to those two buildings and
anyone who was inside, so scary especially for NYorkers.

[Voice for Peace]

10. ok.. text from daughter (phew)

"I'm fine.. what explosion?"
She hadn't even heard about it.

[Mz Pip]

16. Good news.

I'm sure it scared the hell out of anyone living in the vicinity.

[brooklynite]

4. CBS News reports one fatality

Con Ed reportedly responding to a gas leak report.

[leftynyc]

5. Sounds like it was a gas leak

Train service up to Westchester and CT is suspended indefinitely. I live in Westchester.

[oshma]

11. You may be stuck with a subway to the city line and then Bee-line buses

The commute may be nasty if they can't get the debris off the tracks.

[leftynyc]

13. They've already posted what we should do

Gotta take the #5 subway to 180th street, transfer to the #2 and take that to 233rd street and they're telling us the Woodlawn station is right there and will take us north from there. I'm figuring a 35 minute trip is going to take around 2 hours.

[oshma]

14. I hope you have a tasty treat at the end of that hike

whether it is an adult beverage or some other goodie. Good luck!

[leftynyc]

15. I'll be travelling with someone from

the office who needs to do the same to catch the New Haven line so at least I'll have company until we get to Woodlawn. I'm on the Harlem line. Hudson line folks need to go to Yankee Stadium stop. And yes, I'll be heading right for the treats when I get home (after snuggling with the kitties).

[onehandle]

6. NYT: At Least One Person Killed in East Harlem Building Collapse

At least one person was killed when two buildings collapsed in East Harlem on Wednesday morning, according to authorities, and a senior city official suggested that there would most likely be more fatalities.

Witnesses reported hearing what sounded like an explosion before the buildings collapsed. Flames and smoke could be seen billowing from the street, and the force of the damage blew out windows in neighboring buildings.

At least 16 people were injured, including four seriously, according to city officials. The police said that two residential buildings — 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue — had collapsed.

“This is an occupied building, there were people living there, we have people missing,” the senior official said. “There was a complete collapse; the fire is still going so we can’t make a search. There will be fatalities.”



http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/13/nyregion/east-harlem-building-collapse.html

[dipsydoodle]

9. Two dead as New York City building collapses after blast

New York City Police Department say two people have died after an explosion in an East Harlem apartment building that then collapsed.

Seventeen others were injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26549431

[oshma]

12. Red Cross staff and volunteers have opened a reception center

at PS 57, on 115th Street between Lexington and 3rd, for residents affected by this tragedy. They have put out a call to all volunteers in good standing in the NYC area.

[lapislzi]

17. Victim Identification System has been activated

The New York City Unified Victim Identification System (UVIS) has been activated in response to the building collapse that occurred earlier today at 116th Street and Park Avenue in Manhattan. If you are concerned about the welfare of someone who may have been affected by the collapse and are unable to contact them, please call 311. From outside of NYC, you may call [phone]. The American Red Cross has also opened a reception center at P.S. 57, located at 176 East 115 Street in Manhattan.