At Least 12 Injured in New York City Building Explosion, Collapse

A restuarant exploded in the East Village.

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Complex Original

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FDNY has reported several injuries after an explosion in an East Village restaurant caused two buildings to catch on fire and one to collapse. Emergency responders are currently on the scene at 125 2nd Ave., a residential and commercial building. The collapse was reported at 3:20 p.m. 

As many as 30 people have been injured, the New York Post reports. One has been taken to the hospital in critical condition, six have been treated on the scene, and two firefighters have been injured, according to The New York Daily News

The restaurant has been confirmed as Sushi Park, and nearby Pommes Frites is reportedly in danger. 

Update 3/26/15 (4:53 p.m.): ABC 7 has updated the injury total to 12, with four in critical condition—all of them civilians. The station has sources from inside the restaurant who say they smelled natural gas before the explosion. 

A diner inside Sushi Park told police he heard an explosion inside the kitchen, according to NYP. Day laborers also told police they had been working on a gas line inside the kitchen. 

Update 3/26/15 (5:41 p.m.): Mayor Bill de Blasio issued a statement. He says preliminary evidence indicates the explosion is related to gas. 12 individuals have been confirmed injured, with three in critical condition. 

Update 3/27/15 (2:42 p.m.): Mayor de Blasio has updated the human impact to 22 injured, with four in critical condition and 18 with non-life threatening injuries. No fatalities have been recorded, but two people are still missing. 

We'll have more as the story develops. 

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