12 March 2014 (11:20 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

Local news have explained earlier sightings of a drone (UAV) as belonging to the FDNY, searching the explosion area.

However, recent live video from helicopters revealed that small RC ‘toy’ type drones are being used by unidentified individuals.  News anchors and reporters say they do not know who those individuals are.

The live helicopter video I saw showed a RC type drone ‘copter hovering over the Metro North tracks that are covered with debris.  It then was landed on a sidewalk where the man controlling it recovered it.  None of the people on the sidewalk seemed concerned, and there were police and fire fighters there as well.

Gas leak came from different building

12 March 2014 (10:31-10:48 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

“God forbid if there are people still inside that building.”-Bill de Blasio. Mayor of New York City

The mayor of New York City just gave these highlights during a press conference: “Number of missing individuals”.

Two people dead, 18 injured.

Explosion reported about 09:30 hours eastern U.S. time.

Believed to be massive gas explosion, destroyed two buildings.

Surrounding buildings impacted.

ConEd struggling to turn off multiple gas mains.

5 alarm fire.

Fire Department City of New York officials explained that heavy equipment has to be brought in to remove debris in order to conduct a search and rescue effort.

Fire officials also clarified that the report of a gas leak came from a different building, not from the buildings that exploded.  ConEd confirmed gas leak report was from neighboring building, and that the smell was outside the building.

City official says there was no “legal” construction work being done on any of the buildings.  No permits applied for.  City officials say they have no recorded violations of building codes concerning one of the buildings that exploded.

People are still being evacuated from surrounding buildings, Red Cross setting up at public school to take in evacuees.

investigation beginning

12 March 2014 (09:26 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

“This is an occupied building, there were people living there, we have people missing. There was a complete collapse; the fire is still going so we can’t make a search. There will be fatalities.”-Unnamed New York City official quoted by New York Times

City officials confirmed at least one dead.

Con Edison confirmed they got a call about a gas leak at 09:13 hours eastern U.S. time.  They dispatched crews just before explosion.

FDNY says they got first call about explosion at 09:31 hours.

There are more people claiming that immediately after the explosion somebody was telling everyone that there was a terrorist attack on the Metro North Train.

not terrorism

12 March 2014 (09:08 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

The New York Police Department has quickly determined the building explosion is not terrorism.

Debris is blocking train tracks.

Up to 16 people injured.  Police not reporting missing people, but more and more people coming out saying their loved ones are not accounted for.

Drone seen

12 March 2014 (09:00 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

Owner of church building was away shopping when her mother called her about the explosion.  She admits they’re was work done to stop a gas leak several months ago.  Gas company officials declared the work good to go, and turned gas back on.  She admits they smelled gas last night during prayer service, but it was coming from the piano shop next door.  She is upset because they can’t contact at least four people they know where in the apartments above the church when it exploded.

An eyewitness says he saw a man trying to enter the piano shop, then the massive explosion, which blew the man back about 20 feet.  Eyewitness confirmed there were problems with gas leaks in the buildings.

However, many witnesses say they did not smell gas before explosion.  Live reporters say they are not smelling any gas.

Other people say they thought it was an earthquake.  Describing a smell of “burning rubber”.

A CBS New York City live reporter says he’s seen a drone (UAV) flying over the area.

Bodies pulled from rubble

 

12 March 2014 (08:20 UTC-07 Tango)/10 Jumada l-Ula 1435/21 Esfand 1392/12 Ding-Mao 4712

Two five to six story buildings exploded and collapsed. Now on fire.  Numerous victims taken to hospital. At least 11 injuries, one in critical condition. One survivor told local news media the “ground moved”!

News anchor with CBS New York City makes Freudian slip saying “the main concern is that there are no survivors….”.  He meant no ‘victims’ still in the buildings.

One building was a church, the other had a piano shop and apartments.  They were located on 116th and Park Avenue.

People living six blocks away report the explosion shook their apartments.   Smoke from fire is blowing towards Central Park.