Two women have died
after a gas leak sparked an explosion which levelled two buildings in East
Harlem, New York City, authorities say.
Eighteen others have
been injured in the incident, which sent smoke billowing into the city sky.
More than 250
firefighters are tackling the blaze at the scene near 116th Street and Park
Avenue.
All train services in
and out of Grand Central terminal have been halted following the incident near
its tracks.
 |
| New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio: "This is a tragedy of the worst kind" |
Missing
people
New York City Mayor
Bill de Blasio said in a news conference from the scene that the gas leak had
been reported to the utility company just 15 minutes before the blast on
Wednesday morning.
Mr de Blasio said the
"major explosion" had destroyed two buildings and heavily damaged
other structures.
A
number of individuals were still missing in the area, he added.
"Every
effort is being expended to locate" them, he added.
New
York fire department has elevated the incident to the highest threat level
possible.
Among
the injured was a child said to be in a critical condition, CNN reports.
The
utility company, Con Edison, says a resident in a nearby building reported
smelling gas shortly before the explosion.
Streets
and pavements around the site were littered with broken glass from shattered
windows.
