By Rachelle Anthony
At least 19 people were injured and four people were in critical condition March 26th when an explosion leveled an East Village building on Second Avenue between Seventh Avenue and St. Marks Place.
Shortly after 3:00 pm, a call came into the FDNY regarding an explosion and fire at 121 Second Avenue. Firefighters, EMS, traffic and police personnel quickly arrived at the scene. Several streets around the area were immediately closed off. Four buildings, located at 119, 121, 123 and 125 Second Avenue, were completely destroyed.
The Sushi Park restaurant located at 121 Second Avenue was undergoing a renovation at the time. Contractors were working on the gas and the plumbing inside the restaurant and may have hit the gas line accidentally which caused the explosion and massive fire. The explosion is still under investigation.
“I heard the explosion then heard all the noise,” Kausar Miah who works at Funky Town, a store near the explosion said. Miah ran outside and saw people running frantically so he starting running towards Second Avenue. Then he saw the fire and a woman attempting to jump from the second floor of the burning building.
A few minutes after the explosion, the massive fire rapidly spread to the adjacent buildings. Horrified residents and bystanders watched in shock and disbelief as the building engulfed in flames and as the building connected to the Sushi Park restaurant collapsed.
Two men were reportedly missing. The family of 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa, was at the Sushi Park restaurant on a date, said they had not heard from him since the explosion. His date was blown out of the restaurant and onto the street. Moises Locon, who worked at the Sushi restaurant, was also reported missing.
The American Red Cross set up a shelter at Tompkins Square Library located at 331 East 10th Street. “The Red Cross is offering mental health support, temporary lodging, placement, clothing, and financial assistance,” said Josh Lockwood, CEO of the American Red Cross, Greater New York, in a statement. “It’s been a very emotional day. After this disaster we have been working family by family to work on their housing needs; and with this situation we’ve been able to find vacant hotel rooms to put people up in for one night, two nights, three nights depending their needs.”
Crane operators arrived on the scene and began the difficult task of searching through the rubble. Sadly on Sunday, March 29th, two bodies were pulled from the rubble. One body was later identified as Nicholas Figueroa. The other body has not been identified yet, but might be the body of Moises Locon. DNA analysis is being conducted.
“I heard a big explosion”, said George, a worker at St. Marks Wine and Liquor. “I thought a car backed up, then more and more emergency vehicles and police came. They took up the whole block. First they closed down Second (Avenue). It was a really loud explosion and a little bit of a shock wave. The fire got worse and worse then there were a lot of smoke. It’s devastating”.
On the 27th, the acrid odor of smoke was still in the air and could be smelled miles away. Police, firefighters, the American Red Cross, the Office of Emergency Management and many emergency personnel were still at the scene of the explosion. Helicopters were hovering over the area. Many people walking on the sidewalks and in the streets looked on with concern. Some were trying to get to their apartments located near the explosion.
Red Cross CEO Josh Lockwood said many New Yorkers were responding to those affected. “Our American Red Cross workforce is over 90% volunteers so it’s everyday New Yorkers helping New Yorkers, plus we have had faith leaders, local restaurants giving food, giving drinks, offering support. It really just demonstrates that incredible character of people. We have 125 individuals that have registered with us. We housed 38 families last night and we’ll house 20 today.”
On the door of DF Mavens, Dairy-Free Frozen Dessert, a sign read, “Stay Safe East Village.”
Neecy Watson | April 1, 2015
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Excellent reporting of this story. The photos accented the events that followed this disaster. I could envision myself on the street being an eye witness because of your descriptive words. A follow-up would be great. Very professionally done!