Two dead, others missing after NYC explosion

NEW YORK (AP) — A thunderous explosion that may have been caused by a gas leak flattened two East Harlem apartment buildings Wednesday, killing at least two people, injuring 18 and leaving an undisclosed number missing.

Utility workers were on the way to check out a report of a gas odor at the time of the 9:30 a.m. blast, which shattered store windows for blocks, hurled debris onto elevated commuter railroad tracks close by, cast a plume of smoke over the skyline and sent people running into the streets.

The two five-story brick buildings on Park Avenue at 116th Street were reduced to a burning heap of bricks and metal.

"It felt like an earthquake had rattled my whole building," said Waldemar Infante, a porter who was working in a basement nearby. "There were glass shards everywhere on the ground, and all the stores had their windows blown out."

Police said two females died, but they had no further details.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said authorities were trying to locate "a number of missing individuals," some of whom may have fled to safety.

Con Edison had received a report of a gas leak 15 minutes before the explosion, de Blasio said. The blast occurred before the Con Edison team arrived, according to the mayor.

Sidewalks for blocks around were littered with broken glass. Witnesses said the blast was so powerful it knocked groceries off the shelves of nearby stores.

The explosion occurred very close to Metro-North tracks. Metro-North service was suspended commuter train service to and from Grand Central on all its lines while employees removed debris from the tracks.