Breaking via WCBS880 News: Building explosion and collapse in Lower East Village

[MANative]

No link yet - heard on radio - building on fire and multiple injuries reported. 7th St and 2nd Ave

ETA: Via radio - 3 buildings involved, 3rd alarm called. 125 firefighters on scene.

ETA2: Just hearing live: Witness claims a man ran into restaurant, asked to use the restroom, ran out, then the building exploded.

ETA3: FDNY reports 12 people injured, 3 of them critically. Traffic shut down between Houston and 14th

[MADem]

1. Here's a link...

http://7online.com/news/explosion-reported-at-apartment-building-in-east-village/574555/

EXPLOSION, COLLAPSE REPORTED AT APARTMENT BUILDING IN EAST VILLAGE

EAST VILLAGE (WABC) -- There has been an explosion and partial collapse at an apartment building in Manhattan Thursday.

The blast happened on Second Avenue at East 7th Street in the East Village around 3:15 p.m.

The FDNY was on the scene pouring water on a raging fire that ensued, shooting flames high into the sky and spreading to the neighboring building.

Charred rubble littered the sidewalk, and at least one person was seen being removed from the scene on a stretch. (My note: I think they mean stretcher)

The severity of the damage is unknown, but it appeared the building would be a total loss.

It is unclear how many people were hurt and the extent of the injuries. ...

[MANative]

2. Thanks!

[MADem]

3. I'm betting the PM news in NYC will have more.

Depending on the cause of the explosion, this could go national in a hurry. If it's just a cracked gas line and a sparking electrical wire, or something, it will die down quickly...but what a terrible event for the people in that building and neighborhood!

[MANative]

6. Yes, I'm sure. My hubby is in the area for a meeting today, about 10 blocks from there.

Now at 4 alarms. Only ABC7 has live coverage on air right now.

[MADem]

11. I imagine you're grateful for every one of those ten blocks! What a frightening thing... nt

[MANative]

14. Absolutely. He goes into Manhattan once a week for meetings for work...

and they're always in different locations. Building just collapsed. Watching it live on ABC7.

[MADem]

18. I hope the residents were at work or the market--what a fright! nt

[MANative]

23. One report said there were bodies in the street, but there's not a second source on that yet. nt

[MADem]

41. Sad, so sad....I hate these events. nt

[MANative]

42. Based on additional reports, I think these were injured people. No reports of any deaths. nt

[bananas]

36. abc 7 tv news live stream http://7online.com/live/

http://7online.com/live/

[LiberalAndProud]

4. I'm not speculating but the first thing I think of when I see "apartment explosion" is meth lab.

[MANative]

7. Or gas leaks. That's happened a lot in NYC over the last couple of years.

Businesses and apartments. There's a bakery there, and I think a barbecue restaurant, if memory serves. I haven't been in that neighborhood in a couple of years.

[closeupready]

31. In the year before 9/11, there was that Midtown Coned explosion, on Lexington, IIRC.

Do you remember that?

I'm not sure people realize, the infrastructure here is old, worn out. Gas leaks do happen a lot, as do other kinds of catastrophic events related to an aging city.

[MANative]

33. Yes, I do. I'd just started working in midtown when that happened.

Everything from water mains to gas lines are in rough shape. Most have a useful life of around 100 years, and many are now pushing 20 years past that.

[PoliticAverse]

5. So, gas leak? n/t

[MANative]

8. That's one of the possibilities they cited, but no firm info on that.

Now elevated to 5 alarms.

[brooklynite]

9. 125 2nd Ave

U/D Manhattan: 125 2 Ave 30 People injuired multiple still trapped. 5th alarm transmitted. #FDNY #BREAKING

[MANative]

10. Now calling to 7th alarm. They fear the whole thing is coming down. nt

[Liberal_in_LA]

15. omg.hope the building was empty

[MANative]

17. Unfortunately, no. Reporting as many as 30 injuries and several feared trapped. nt

[Cal Carpenter]

24. That is a terrifying picture

[PoliticAverse]

37. Great picture. n/t

[B2G]

12. CNN reporting a gas explosion

on the first floor restaurant.

[MANative]

16. That's what ABC7 is also speculating based on reports from witnesses. nt

[closeupready]

13. Dang, that's above Pommes Frites - used to LOVE their fries.

[MANative]

19. Yeah. The fire has spread to that building. They've said they think that building is also...

in danger of collapse.

[brooklynite]

20. Now four buildings on fire (presumably those behind)

NYC Scanner ?@NYScanner 19s20 seconds ago
U/D Manhattan: *7 Alarm* 125 2 Ave Nearby building collapsed. Total of 4 buildings on fire. #FDNY #BREAKING #NYC

[MANative]

21. See my update in OP. HUGE news. nt

[winter is coming]

35. Potentially huge news.

If I were set on blowing something up, the last thing I'd do is anything that would attract attention... like running. This could merely be somebody running late who really needed to use the bathroom.

[MANative]

39. Very true. The witness did make a point to say that there was no way that it was enough time...

for someone to actually use the bathroom. A matter of seconds. No one else is reporting anything more on that at this time. I heard her say it live in an interview on ABC7.

[closeupready]

49. Or even someone disowning a really stinky crap. Seriously.

(Terrorism has always been, is now, and will always be one valid theory out of thousands. Though targeting a French fry stand?)

[brooklynite]

22. One critical patient being transferred to Bellvue Hospital

[hifiguy]

25. I've heard a lot in recent years about NYC's deteriorating infrastructure.

Big explosions are often caused by gas leaks, and I will bet there are plenty in NYC.

[MANative]

27. There was a big collapse caused by a gas leak a year ago. I think 6 ppl were killed in that one.

It's an old city with old buildings, too, which exacerbates the problem. Oil-soaked wood floors, etc. Fire chief on TV now saying the adjacent building is fully involved and not under control. Common roofs - fear of fire spreading further.

[LiberalAndProud]

26. Is there a plan to address the failing pipe lines?

Or is uncontrolled demolition the general trend?

[MANative]

28. None that I've heard. There was a huge outcry after last year's fatalities, but I haven't...

heard anything about plans to fix it.

[LiberalAndProud]

32. That's sad.

I suppose if we could find a way to blame this on Muslim terrorists the money would roll in soon enough. Something is amiss with our priorities.

[MANative]

34. + ten gazillion

[JaneyVee]

29. I LIVE 5 BLOCKS AWAY. CURRENTLY AT WORK IN MIDTOWN.

My heart goes out to my fellow NYers.

[MANative]

30. Oh, geez. You may have a challenge getting back home, depending on exactly where.

They've blocked traffic for several blocks around, according to Channel 7. Hope anyone you know is safe and well.

[stevenleser]

38. Smokey smell has reached where I work on 59th and 5th.

[MANative]

40. Wow. I remember how bad the smoke smell was at our office in midtown after 9/11...

It's stunning how that travels so far. (31st and 7th - Penn Plaza)

[closeupready]

46. Me, too. Just posted the same thing.

[geek tragedy]

50. 52nd and 6th ave too. nt

[PoliticAverse]

43. Google Street View of the buildings...

https://goo.gl/maps/4RtUU

[Tommy_Carcetti]

44. A friend of mine who lives a few blocks down just posted a picture on Facebook.

Scary, hope everyone pulls through.

[closeupready]

45. I'm in Midtown and can smell smoke all the way up here.

About 35-40 blocks away.

[MANative]

47. That's just stunning. The retired Fire Chief that they're interviewing on ABC...

says that there are four buildings involved, and it's not yet fully under control. Smoke is still dark.

[MANative]

48. WCBS radio is reporting that NYPD tells them that a construction crew might have hit a gas line.

They've also brought in cadaver dogs.