ALBAWABA - A gas explosion killed one person and injured 14 others in in New York City early on Saturday, American authorities announced.
The explosion happened at a high-rise apartment building in the Bronx, causing a big fire that spread through the top floors.
Firefighters were called shortly before 12.30 a.m. to the 17-story New York City housing authority (Nycha) building in the Bronx, due to the fire.
The Guardian cited officials who said people rushed to windows screaming for help as flames engulfed parts of the top floors.
The New York fire department chief, John Esposito, revealed that authorities confirmed that a gas odor was reported on the 15th and 16th floors when the explosion happened.
He also confirmed that theblast caused serious damage to a dozen apartments and fires in 10 apartments on the 16th and 17th floors.
"It's an incredible tragedy. We’re sending all our thoughts to the families involved," New York City’s deputy mayor for housing and planning, Leila Bozorg, revealed during a morning news conference.
