New York buildings collapse in possible gas blast, 19 hurt
Four apartment buildings in New York's East Village neighborhood caught fire from an apparent gas explosion on March 26 and three collapsed, injuring 19 people, authorities said.
The blast shortly after 3 pm sent flames leaping into the sky and rocked the residential area in Manhattan. Bloodied victims ran from the buildings, collapsing on the street, witnesses said.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference that preliminary evidence indicated it was a gas-related explosion.
Nineteen people were hurt. Four, all civilians, were in critical condition, the spokesman said.
A New York police spokesman there were no reports of anyone missing.
The four buildings contain 49 apartments, according to a spokesman for the American Red Cross at the scene. The ground floors were occupied by small eateries.