At least 2 people were killed in the building explosion in East Harlem
The scene of a possible explosion and building collapse in East Harlem on March 12, 2014.
At least two women were killed after a massive explosion led to the collapse of an apartment building in East Harlem on Wednesday morning.
Crews were called to the building, reported as East 116th Street and Park Avenue, at around 9:30 a.m.
NBC News initially reported at least four people had been taken to the hospital with injuries.
The number went up to 16, with four seriously injured.
At least one patient was received at a nearby hospital with heavy trauma, according to BBC News.
Authorities said two women were killed in the collapse, and a senior city official suggested, according to New York Times, that there might be more fatalities.
Con Edison said it had received a call about a nearby gas leak Wednesday morning. Its crews arrived moments after the explosion, The New York Times reported.
“Last night it smelled like gas but then the smell vanished and we all went to sleep," apartment resident Jennifer Salas, whose husband was still missing, told the Times.
Photos and video have been pouring in on social media:
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