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March 12 2014 3:49 PM

Remarkable Images of the Blast That Destroyed Two Buildings in Upper Manhattan

By Lisa Larson-Walker

At least two people have died after an explosion destroyed two buildings in Upper Manhattan on Wednesday morning. Authorities suspect that the blast was caused by a gas leak. As the images below show, the damage was extensive, and the resultant plume of white smoke blanketed the neighborhood.

Heavy smoke pours from the debris at the site of a building collapse at Park Avenue and East 116th Street.

View from the above the scene of the explosion and collapse.

Firefighters from the Fire Department of New York respond to the five-alarm fire and building collapse.

Was8407013A police spokesman told Agence France-Press that news of the explosion was called in at 9:34 a.m. — A police spokesman told Agence France-Press that news of the explosion was called in at 9:34 a.m.

The area around the explosion was engulfed in a thick smoke, and a stretch of Park Avenue, as well as the east side of 115th to 117th streets, was closed.

New York City Police Department officers wear masks at the scene of the explosion.

Onlookers wear face masks as they watch from behind a barricade.

A victim is evacuated by emergency personnel.

Firefighters respond to the building collapse as a drone flies overheard.

Residents watch as the Fire Department of New York searches for anyone trapped in the debris.

A firefighter stands on smoke-filled East 116th Street.

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