New York Explosion Ignites Fire, Fells Buildings and Injures at Least 19

nytimes.com - A powerful explosion in Lower Manhattan on Thursday caused two buildings to collapse and ignited a large fire that quickly spread to neighboring buildings, leaving at least 19 people injured.

As the fire raged in the East Village neighborhood, there were desperate attempts to flee, with residents jumping from fire escapes, and dramatic rescues, with one man climbing through the smoke to look for people who might have been stranded and others pulling a woman to safety.

The blaze was so intense that firefighters at one point had to withdraw from the buildings and engage in what one official called a “defensive outside attack,” pumping a deluge of water onto the structures.