The Fire Department of New York says four people are in critical condition among a dozen injured in an explosion, building collapse and fire in Manhattan’s East Village.
Officials initially said three were critically hurt in Thursday’s blast. Firefighter Ed Long says the tally is up to four.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says preliminary evidence suggests a gas-related explosion is to blame. He says plumbing and gas work appear to have sparked the problem inside one building.
That building collapsed. A second building partially collapsed. The fire and blast ultimately affected four buildings near New York University and Washington Square Park.
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro has said a third building is in danger of collapse.
