Rubble is seen on Friday, March 14, two days after an explosion leveled two apartment buildings in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, injuring dozens and killing at least eight people. Though authorities have said a gas leak may have triggered the explosion, Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters Thursday that the official cause was under investigation.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Rubble is seen on Friday, March 14, two days after an explosion leveled two apartment buildings in the East Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan, injuring dozens and killing at least eight people. Though authorities have said a gas leak may have triggered the explosion, Mayor Bill de Blasio told reporters Thursday that the official cause was under investigation.
Julio Cortez/AP
Firefighters look over what remains of a building affected by the explosion on March 14.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters look over what remains of a building affected by the explosion on March 14.
Seth Wenig/AP
A vehicle crushed by debris from the building explosion is seen on the street.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
A vehicle crushed by debris from the building explosion is seen on the street.
Julio Cortez/AP
An excavator removes debris on Thursday, March 13, from the site of a massive explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
An excavator removes debris on Thursday, March 13, from the site of a massive explosion.
Mark Lennihan/AP
People protect their faces from dust on March 13.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
People protect their faces from dust on March 13.
John Moore/Getty Images
Police officers stand near the site of the explosion on March 13.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Police officers stand near the site of the explosion on March 13.
John Moore/Getty Images
Smoke fills 116th Street as a stretcher is wheeled toward the site of the explosion on March 13.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Smoke fills 116th Street as a stretcher is wheeled toward the site of the explosion on March 13.
John Moore/Getty Images
Heavy smoke rises from the debris on Wednesday, March 12.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Heavy smoke rises from the debris on Wednesday, March 12.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Medics put a person into an ambulance at the scene of the explosion on March 12.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Medics put a person into an ambulance at the scene of the explosion on March 12.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Water is sprayed on smoldering debris close to the scene of the building collapse.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Water is sprayed on smoldering debris close to the scene of the building collapse.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
A police officer covers his face with a mask to protect himself from the smoke.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
A police officer covers his face with a mask to protect himself from the smoke.
Peter Foley/Bloomberg via Getty Images
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference. "This is a tragedy of the worst kind," he said, "because there was no indication in time to save people."
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio speaks during a news conference. "This is a tragedy of the worst kind," he said, "because there was no indication in time to save people."
Peter Foley/Bloomberg via Getty Images
New York firefighters battle the fire near 116th Street and Park Avenue, once the heart of the city's large Puerto Rican community.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
New York firefighters battle the fire near 116th Street and Park Avenue, once the heart of the city's large Puerto Rican community.
Jeremy Sailing/AP
Firefighters work to contain the fire. The firefighters responding to a gas leak report barely missed the blast, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said: "If we were here five minutes earlier, we may have had some fatalities among firefighters."
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters work to contain the fire. The firefighters responding to a gas leak report barely missed the blast, Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano said: "If we were here five minutes earlier, we may have had some fatalities among firefighters."
John Minchillo/AP
Rescue workers remove an injured person from the scene.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Rescue workers remove an injured person from the scene.
Mark Lennihan/AP
Alecia Thomas, left, is comforted by her friend, Shivon Dollar, after Thomas' home was destroyed in the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Alecia Thomas, left, is comforted by her friend, Shivon Dollar, after Thomas' home was destroyed in the explosion.
Mark Lennihan/AP
De Blasio, in the blue jacket, arrives at the site of the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
De Blasio, in the blue jacket, arrives at the site of the explosion.
Bebeto Matthews/AP
People stand behind a police line.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
People stand behind a police line.
ANDREW GOMBERT/EPA
Firefighters work from the roof of a building next to the site of the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters work from the roof of a building next to the site of the explosion.
Justin Heiman/Getty Images
Workers inspect debris on the Metro North railroad tracks near the scene of the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Workers inspect debris on the Metro North railroad tracks near the scene of the explosion.
JUSTIN LANE/EPA/LANDOV
Firefighters observe rescue efforts after the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters observe rescue efforts after the explosion.
courtesy Rado Vendel
Broken glass and debris litter the area around the scene.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Broken glass and debris litter the area around the scene.
courtesy Rado Vendel
Hundreds of firefighters responded to the scene.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Hundreds of firefighters responded to the scene.
John Minchillo/AP
Police search the debris.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Police search the debris.
Jeremy Sailing/AP
Smoke billows from the site of the explosion and collapse.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Smoke billows from the site of the explosion and collapse.
Justin Heiman/Getty Images
Police create a one-block perimeter around the site.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Police create a one-block perimeter around the site.
Bebeto Matthews/AP
People watch as rescue efforts continue after the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
People watch as rescue efforts continue after the explosion.
Mark Lennihan/AP
People run from the scene.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
People run from the scene.
Jeremy Sailing/AP
Debris is scattered over a wide area as firefighters work to contain the fire.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Debris is scattered over a wide area as firefighters work to contain the fire.
JUSTIN LANE/EPA/LANDOV
Firefighters examine the damage to one building after the explosion.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters examine the damage to one building after the explosion.
courtesy New York City Official
Firefighters respond to the fire.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters respond to the fire.
John Minchillo/AP
Firefighters work to douse the fire.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters work to douse the fire.
John Minchillo/AP
Firefighters work at the scene.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters work at the scene.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Rubble from the explosion spills onto Park Avenue.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Rubble from the explosion spills onto Park Avenue.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images
Firefighters work to douse the fire.
Explosion destroys East Harlem buildings —
Firefighters work to douse the fire.
John Minchillo/AP