A massive explosion in Manhattan's East Harlem (near 116th and Park Avenue) has reportedly left two dead and several injured, according to local media outlets. A senior city official suggested to the New York Times that there will likely be more more deaths. New York police and fire officials responded to the scene, reveal authorities on Wednesday, after they were informed that an explosion caused two buildings to collapse. The explosion took place at 9 a.m. says FDNY. The neighborhood is commonly referred to as Spanish Harlem or El Barrio and is one of the largest Latino communities in New York City made up of mostly Puerto Ricans, as well as some Dominican, Salvadorian and Mexican immigrants.
"Two buildings have collapsed. I hope there is no one in there. It's just rubble," a worker at a nearby flea market said to CNN. Preliminary reports have revealed that one building had a piano repair shop with apartments above it, while the second building housed a church. Those in the area have reported seeing clouds of dark smoke within a three-block radius. BloombergTV has a live stream offering a live view of the current scene.
“The building shook and then we looked to see what was happening. We saw a whole lot of smoke. A lot of smoke came out,” witness Samuel Paul told CBS 2. “There’s a lot of dark smoke still coming out. A lot of fire engines I saw going to 125th Street. The smoke started to rise. It looked like something fell because it wasn’t like a fire. It just looked like debris smoke, similar to 9/11.”
According to officials, Metro North commuter rail service has been suspended, as it runs along Park Avenue.
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