12 injured as building collapses, burns in New York
A COLLAPSING building in New York City has now injured 12 people according to early reports, with at least three of those thought to be in a critical condition.
Reports from the scene suggest up to 130 firefighters are attempting to bring the blaze back under control.
Multiple #FDNY units operating at 121&123 2nd Avenue in the East Village. pic.twitter.com/LIfmvhZBrS
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 26, 2015The building exploded into flames shortly after parts of the structure gave way at 3pm local time in New York's East Village.
This is not believed to be a terrorist attack.
Okay. I've uploaded some video. http://t.co/5IC7q7xQ1c
— Scott Westerfeld (@ScottWesterfeld) March 26, 2015
EARLIER: Building collapses in New York, explodes into flames
AT LEAST one person has been critically injured after a building collapsed in New York City's East Village neighbourhood.
Fire officials are now checking surrounding buildings to ensure they will remain standing.
Footage from television crews show a building engulfed in flames and billowing black smoke.
There have also been reports of a major explosion at the scene.
It was definitely the ground floor that blew. The front was blown out into the street, stopped by a phone booth. (So they're still useful.)
— Scott Westerfeld (@ScottWesterfeld) March 26, 2015Fire Department New York crews are now at the site.
The building is thought to have collapsed at 3pm local time, according to the FDNY.
