Yahoo News Two Missing After New York Building Collapse
Two people have been reported missing after an apparent gas explosion triggered a fire and a partial building collapse in New York City, injuring 19 people.
Firefighters worked through the night to put out pockets of fire, pouring large volumes of water over the rubble after the massive blaze.
Witnesses spoke of an explosion before the fire, which left flames pouring out of the five-storey structure in Manhattan's East Village.
At four of those injured were in a critical condition.
One of the missing was identified as Nicholas Figueroa, a 23-year-old who was on a date at a sushi restaurant that was levelled by the explosion.
The two were paying for their meal when the blast occurred, said Mr Figueroa's brother, Tyler. His brother's date, who is in the hospital, remembers only stumbling outside before losing consciousness.
"I just pray my brother shows up," said Tyler Figueroa, 19.
"We just hope my brother comes back."
The second person who is unaccounted for has not been identified.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said preliminary evidence suggests the incident may be gas-related.
A plumber was doing work connected to a gas service upgrade, and inspectors for utility company Con Edison had been there, company President Craig Ivey said.
But the work failed the inspection, partly because a space for the new metres was not big enough, Con Ed said.
Television footage showed casualties being carried on stretchers from the wreckage at 125 Second Avenue, where the lower two floors had reportedly caved in.
More than 130 firefighters battled the blaze, which unfolded shortly before 3.30pm local time.
Witnesses described pandemonium as the emergency unfolded, near New York University.
"We heard a big sound, then three or four people fell on the street," Shameem Noor told Reuters news agency.
"People were running and screaming. There's a big fire on the roof and black smoke."
Eight people died in March last year when a gas blast hit two apartment buildings in Harlem.
