Spanish Harlem Explosion Tweets: See Twitter Photos, Thoughts And Prayers For 'El Barrio' Building Collapse Victims

A massive explosion in Manhattan's East Harlem (near 116th and Park Avenue) has reportedly left two dead and at least 20 injured, according to local media outlets. New York police and fire officials responded to the scene after they were informed that an explosion caused two buildings to collapse. The explosion took place at 9 a.m. says the FDNY. Mayor Bill de Blasio said that a gas leak triggered the “major explosion” that brought two five-story buildings to the ground.

The two fatalities were women, and the FDNY says more than 20 were injured, among them two with life-threatening injuries. There are still several people missing, but authorities say they might have fled to safety. “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.” 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, Salvadoran and Mexican immigrants.

As soon as the news broke, people took it to social media to post pictures, prayers and messages to those affected. Here are some of them.