For now no concrete information is given. Around 30 persons are injured, terrorism seems less possible than a gas explosion, considering there was a restaurant on the first floor.

 

An extract from USA Today:

A five-story apartment building collapsed Thursday after an explosion touched off a raging seven-alarm fire in Manhattan's East Village.

Fire officials said three people were hospitalized in critical condition and 12 people were treated at the scene.

More than 255 firefighters and emergency service workers responded to the scene at Second Avenue at East 7th Street, pouring water onto a raging fire that sent flames high into the sky.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2015/03/26/explosion-fire-east-village-new-york/70497900/

 

Looks really scary. I do hope there will be as less victims as possible. Perhaps someone lives nearby and could share some details? 

 

Edited March 26, 201511 yr by Hastings

Living about one hour away from Manhattan I am pretty used to big fires and they happen a lot so I am used to it. I am a big fire buff and an upcoming firefighter in Long Island and I have a lot of interest in this stuff. I was on top of the radio listening since they had 2 FDNY members unaccounted for so I wanted to here if the brothers got to safety, which they did. This is going to be a hell of a search and rescue operation and one big clean up. Hopefully everyone is okay and hopefully all members of the FDNY are safe. 

 

 

 

Edited March 26, 201511 yr by Foward

I didn't even know they HAD seven alarm fires ANYWHERE. I thought it only went up to five.

Unfortunately I don't have any additional information to provide, though I will say that I hope those who were critically injured pull through. I remember when there was a fire like this that happened right across the street from where I live, and we had to evacuate.

Edited March 26, 201511 yr by iansonwheels

12 people got injured but only three were critical

Live radio scanner to follow the operations: http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/9059/web

UPDATE:

 

Two buildings are destroyed, another one nearly collapsed.

De Blasio says the explosion happened because of gas works which were conducted in 121 2nd Ave. 

 

This is a scary shit. Even seeing those huge flames on top of that building made me nervous, I can't imagine how the first responders gotta feel down there. looks like FDNY managed to get this all under control. Great work, I'd say.

 

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/bcvideo/1.0/iframe/embed.html?videoId=100000003596168&playerType=embed"></iframe>

Edited March 26, 201511 yr by Hastings

Wow... Never seen or heard so many firefighters respond at the same place. I hope no one dies 

I didn't even know they HAD seven alarm fires ANYWHERE. I thought it only went up to five.

On 9/11, each tower got a 5 alarm.

 

The 2014 Brownstone fire on Beacon street in Boston had 9 alarm.

 

I think most places in North America only go up to 5.

 

im really sorry if im bumping this thread. but i just saw this and i actually live two blocks away from the explosion. we're actually still recovering from it. i was surprised at the amount of time it took for the investigation and cleanup to be final. just like 9/11 smoke and disaster was everywhere. gave me instant memories. Pets got lost, people got hurt, businesses closed for weeks and ignorant people were taking selfies in front of smashed cop cars. it felt like our neighborhood had died and turned into some sort of war zone. even now. the neighborhood is still having trouble with gas situations and people taking more gas than they should, resulting in a shutdown. its all so depressing. but at least its over. the last thing i need while getting milk, cookies, and cat food at 6:00 am is constant smoke, evacuated areas and firetrucks i never knew existed all over the place. 

Edited May 16, 201510 yr by ttravis2947