Gas blast destroys 2 NY buildings; 7 people dead

Gas blast destroys 2 NY buildings; 7 people dead

NEW YORK (AP) — A seventh person has been confirmed killed by an explosion that flattened two New York City apartment buildings.

Fire Department spokesman Danny Glover said Thursday morning that a seventh body had been found in the rubble. Three bodies were found Wednesday and three more overnight.

A gas leak triggered the explosion Wednesday morning on Park Avenue and 116th Street in East Harlem. The blast also injured more than 60 people. At least three of the injured were children.

The explosion shattered windows a block away, cast a plume of smoke over the skyline and sent people running into the streets.

Authorities say the fiery blast erupted about 15 minutes after a neighboring resident reported smelling gas.