New York - Four apartment buildings have caught fire in New York's East Village neighbourhood on Thursday after an apparent gas explosion, three of which have since collapsed, injuring 19 people, authorities said.
The blast shortly after 15:00 sent flames leaping into the sky and rocked the residential area in Manhattan. Bloodied victims ran from the buildings, collapsing on the street, witnesses said.
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference that preliminary evidence indicated it was a gas-related explosion.