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<p><a href=“http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/12/us/manhattan-building-explosion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1”>http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/12/us/manhattan-building-explosion/index.html?hpt=hp_t1</a></p>
<p><a href=“3 Dead, Several Missing After Explosion Levels Buildings In East Harlem - CBS New York”>http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/03/12/explosion-reported-at-harlem-building/</a></p>
<p>How terrible. Here’s hoping all are recovered and survive 
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<p>One reported death so far. 15 or so injured. How awful!</p>
<p>No trains can get into or out of Grand Central Terminal.</p>
<p>ETA: They are now confirming two dead and are expecting more. This must have been some explosion. </p>
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<p>Probably because debris from the collapsed building fell onto the Metro North tracks and need to be cleared. </p>
<p>Theyve mentioned smelling gas before the explosion.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^I actually wondered if this was a gas explosion before I had time to wonder if it was something more sinister.</p>
<p>Thankfully, they immediately came out and said “no terrorism”. Maybe that’ll reduce the # of conspiracy theories that pop up about this. </p>
<p>If it’s a gas issue, that’ll break my heart even more because then it could’ve potentially been avoided. Two have been confirmed dead… they suspect more. </p>
<p>ETA: Yup, gas: <a href=“http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/at-least-1-dead-in-nyc-building-explosion/-/1719418/24935168/-/mm7gq2z/-/index.html”>http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/at-least-1-dead-in-nyc-building-explosion/-/1719418/24935168/-/mm7gq2z/-/index.html</a></p>
<p>Didn’t hear about this till this evening after S had gotten home from school. I mentioned it to him and he said–“oh, that’s what we smelled”. His college is a bit west of the explosion, and the air was filled with smoke but they didn’t know what it was from.</p>
<p>So sad to hear of the deaths; hope no more are found.</p>
<p>Wow. I’m glad your son is OK, garland.</p>
<p>Looking at the pictures, I’m a bit amazed that, even though it was really bad, the buildings around it were not more damaged. I know nothing about the structural engineering or how a gas explosion acts but it just seems like it could have been so much worse. </p>
<p>Thanks, romani–he was miles away, so not threatened at all. The pictures are horrific, and it looks like the death toll is going to go up. I too was surprised that the buildings next to it seem to be preserved, though who knows how much structural damage might have been done that is at present unseen.</p>
<p>There are 7 dead, 9 missing, and 2 that they don’t think are going to make it. Those 2 are the two that I ache for the most. If they’re not going to make it, I simply cannot imagine the agony they are in. </p>
<p>My nephew who is 12 goes to school about 20 blocks away. We were here in Ohio having a snow day and saw the breaking news on TV. I texted my brother and sister in law to make sure all was ok for him - they said they actually didn’t even know about the blast until the school sent an email saying they were not affected at all. 20 blocks isn’t “close” but IMO, it isn’t “far” considering the level of tragedy. Prayers for the families of those injured or killed. :(</p>
<p>I hurt for those who were and are directly affected by this. The word is that residents smelled gas for some time. If reported to Con Ed, I sure hope they did due diligence investigating it, because it is a travesty if they did not. Lives are lost and shattered here. In areas like east Harlem, a lot of reports on adverse living situations are ignored or shelved for a long time and it’s inexcusable when the issues are that imperative. </p>
<p>I had a theater date yesterday, and because the trains were shut down, I ended up driving into Manhattan and barely making it to the show. Stayed till late and took DH home as the lines were still closed in the evening. For me, a minor inconvenience, but a devastation to those living near that building or who have loved ones there. </p>