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One Missing, Three in Critical Condition after New York Gas Explosion

© AP Photo / John MinchilloFirefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village
Firefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village - Sputnik International
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A gas-related explosion in New York City's East Village on Thursday has caused three buildings to collapse, while on Thursday evening another was still on fire.

New York City Fire Department and Police stand by as firefighters fight a fire near where a residential apartment building collapsed and was engulfed in flames in New York City's East Village neighborhood - Sputnik International
At Least Dozen Injured in New York Explosion, Four in Critical Condition
New York City authorities on Thursday evening confirmed that 12 people had been injured (three critically) after a building undergoing construction work exploded, resulting in fires at four buildings on Second Avenue in the city's East Village, three of which collapsed as a result. According to unconfirmed reports, as many as 19 people, including members of the emergency services, have been injured.

Relatives of Nicholas Figueroa, 23, who had been having lunch in a sushi restaurant at 121 Second Avenue, the site of the initial explosion, reported him missing on Thursday evening. Figueroa has not been in contact since the blast, which is believed to have been caused by plumbing and gas work being carried out in the basement of the building.

At a press conference on Thursday afternoon, New York City mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters that the fire was a "seven-alarm incident" for the New York Fire Department, which had so far "contained the fire those four buildings." Di Blasio urged those concerned to call 311 to report anybody missing, or to check for information.

© REUTERS / Mike SegarNew York City Fire Department firefighters walk towards the site of a residential apartment building collapse and fire in New York City's East Village neighborhood
New York City Fire Department firefighters walk towards the site of a residential apartment building collapse and fire in New York City's East Village neighborhood  - Sputnik International
New York City Fire Department firefighters walk towards the site of a residential apartment building collapse and fire in New York City's East Village neighborhood

The explosion happened at 3.15 pm Thursday afternoon, just on hour after inspectors from gas and utility company Con Edison made a visit to the building at 121 Second Avenue to inspect work being carried out by private contractors on the building's gas supply.

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"We were evaluating the meter installation for a new service that was going to be installed to the building," Con Edison President Craig Ive told reporters on Thursday. "The new installation did not pass our inspection at that time, so it meant it wasn’t ready for gas to be introduced." 

According to a statement from Con Edison, the work failed the inspection for several reasons, "including insufficient spacing for the installation of the meter in the basement,” and the "survey conducted yesterday of the gas mains on the block found no leaks." Neither the utility company, nor the emergency services, had received any reports of a gas odor prior to the explosion, said di Blasio.

© AP Photo / John MinchilloNew York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York
New York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York - Sputnik International
New York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York

Commissioner Daniel Nigro of the New York Fire Department told reporters that approximately 250 firefighters were working to contain fires at 119, 121, 123 and 125 Second Avenue, which had spread from 121 Second Avenue, whose facade was blown off across the street before the building collapsed. Two other adjacent buildings, 123 and 119 Second Avenue, subsequently collapsed after catching fire, while in the early hours of Friday morning firefighters were still battling the blaze at 125 Second Avenue.

© REUTERS / Brendan McDermidNew York City Fire Department firefighters and emergency personnel respond at the site of a residential apartment building which had collapsed and was engulfed in flames in New York City's East Village neighborhood March 26, 2015.
New York City Fire Department firefighters and emergency personnel respond at the site of a residential apartment building which had collapsed and was engulfed in flames in New York City's East Village neighborhood - Sputnik International
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New York City Fire Department firefighters and emergency personnel respond at the site of a residential apartment building which had collapsed and was engulfed in flames in New York City's East Village neighborhood March 26, 2015.
© AP Photo / John MinchilloFirefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village, Thursday, March 26, 2015, in New York. An apparent gas explosion leveled an apartment building, partially destroyed another and launched rubble and shards of glass across streets in the heart of Manhattan on Thursday, injuring at least a dozen people.
Firefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village - Sputnik International
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Firefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village, Thursday, March 26, 2015, in New York. An apparent gas explosion leveled an apartment building, partially destroyed another and launched rubble and shards of glass across streets in the heart of Manhattan on Thursday, injuring at least a dozen people.
© AP Photo / Suzanne MitchellNew York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
New York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York - Sputnik International
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New York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
© AP Photo / NYPD Special OpsIn this photo provided by the NYPD Special Ops, smoke rises from the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
Smoke rises from the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York - Sputnik International
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In this photo provided by the NYPD Special Ops, smoke rises from the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
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New York City Fire Department firefighters and emergency personnel respond at the site of a residential apartment building which had collapsed and was engulfed in flames in New York City's East Village neighborhood March 26, 2015.
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Firefighters spray water on a collapsed building in New York's East Village, Thursday, March 26, 2015, in New York. An apparent gas explosion leveled an apartment building, partially destroyed another and launched rubble and shards of glass across streets in the heart of Manhattan on Thursday, injuring at least a dozen people.
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New York City firefighters work the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
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In this photo provided by the NYPD Special Ops, smoke rises from the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse in the East Village neighborhood of New York on Thursday, March 26, 2015. Orange flames and black smoke are billowing from the facade and roof of the building near several New York University buildings.
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