New York firefighters work to put out the flames at the East Village building explosion – HDR photo by Chad Rachman.
As many as 30 people were hurt in the partial collapse of an East Village building Thursday afternoon, law-enforcement sources told The Post. Two civilians were rushed to the New York Hospital with serious burns, while another civilian who had been knocked unconscious was taken to Bellevue Hospital.
In a press conference Thursday evening, Mayor Bill de Blasio said there were no fatalities. He reminded New Yorkers to call 911 immediately upon smelling gas.
The destruction near the corner of Second Avenue and East Seventh Street was reported shortly before 3:30 p.m. A diner who was eating at the Sushi Park restaurant at 121 Second Ave. told cops he heard an explosion inside the kitchen there.
Robert Shapiro, who ran over from a nearby cafe, said, “I’ve never seen such an aggressive fire — it was like they were pouring gas on it.”
The FDNY ultimately declared the scene at the mixed-occupancy building at 125 Second Ave. a seven-alarm emergency.
Those looking for loved ones following the incident are urged to call 311.
If you smell gas, please immediately call 911 or @ConEdison. #EastVillagepic.twitter.com/aTjY6WeOa8
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) March 26, 2015
Per @nyc311: Those looking for loved ones following 7-Alarm Fire @ 2nd Ave/E 7th St (MN), call 311 or (212)NEW-YORK outside NY #EastVillage
— NYCEM - Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) March 26, 2015
Force of the @FDNY tower ladders tearing away bricks from the remaining facade. @nypmetropic.twitter.com/fdx4yx6h1E
— Chad Rachman (@ChadRachman) March 26, 2015
Officials: Private work on New York building did not pass ConEd inspection hours before explosion - @MarcSantia4NY http://t.co/0uP6i4Dxy1
— Breaking News (@BreakingNews) March 26, 2015
Mayor de Blasio updates New Yorkers on the East Village building collapse: http://www1.nyc.gov/
@delia_p@nypmetro Thick smoke and near zero visibility at E7/2nd. 2nd Ave full of emergency responders.
— Chad Rachman (@ChadRachman) March 26, 2015
.@BilldeBlasio: "Our thoughts and our prayers are with every one of them...and that there are no fatalities" pic.twitter.com/io9XssgDqq
— Connor Ryan (@connortryan) March 26, 2015
"Keep your windows closed and limit your time outside as much as possible." - @nycoem Commissioner @JoeEspoNYC#EastVillage
— NYC Mayor's Office (@NYCMayorsOffice) March 26, 2015



