Search continues for at least 2 after apparent NYC gas blast

BY SAMANTHA TATA AND ALLISON KADEN

MANHATTAN (PIX11) – At least two people who have not been heard from in the aftermath of a catastrophic building explosion and fire that injured at least 28 people and reduced multiple buildings to smoldering piles of rubble in the East Village.

Approximately 60 firefighter remained on the scene Saturday afternoon to suppress hot spots and continue search and rescue operations.

Nicholas Figueroa, 23, was eating at Sushi Park, the ground floor tenant of 121 Second Ave., when it was rocked by the explosion Thursday afternoon, Figueroa's family told the New York Times. Moises Lucon, also remains unaccounted for. Lucon was a busboy at the restaurant.

According to the NYPD Detective Bureau, Figueroa and one other person remain unaccounted for. Anyone who suspects they know someone who is missing or anyone who sees Figueroa is urged to call 311.

Twenty-two civilians were hurt in the blast, four of them critically, Mayor de Blasio said Friday afternoon at a press conference. Six firefighters and an EMS worker suffered minor injuries, officials said. No fatalities have been reported.

De Blasio said the blast appears to a gas explosion as a result of plumbing and gas work at the building that housed the sushi restaurant below and several residences above. A spokesman for Con Edison said it stopped plumbers working Thursday at 121 Second Ave. because they failed the utility's inspection. A gas pipe expansion was underway to increase service to the restaurant and units before the blast. About an hour later at 3:17 p.m., the building exploded.

Although there is no record of calls reporting the smell of gas in the area,the owner of Sushi Park said he smelled gas around 3 p.m. He first called the landlord, who then called the contractor, de Blasio said. De Blasio is urging anyone who smells gas in their home or business to immediately call 911 or Con Edison first before calling anyone else.

In all, four buildings straddling Seventh Street and Second Avenue collapsed or were damaged in the blast. One of those collapsed buildings fell overnight, hours after the initial explosion, officials said.

119 Second Ave.: Collapsed
121 Second Ave.: Collapsed
123 Second Ave.: Partially collapsed
125 Second Ave.: Damaged

Forty nearby apartments that were evacuated were ready to reoccupy as of Saturday morning, while full vacate orders were placed on three additional buildings.

Second Avenue remains closed from 5th to 14th Streets, crosstown streets remained closed on 6th, 7th and St. Marks.

Witnesses described "pandemonium," with residents scurrying down fire escapes and pedestrians darting from the sidewalks around the building as the block was rocked by the blast that was followed by flames shooting into the sky.

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