Explosion reported at Harlem building

(New York - WABC, October 6, 2007) (WABC) -- The explosion injured at least one firefighter and residents from the building. Four children are among the injured.

At this point, officials believe the explosion was caused by a gas leak.

Mayor Bloomberg and Fire Commissioner Scopetta visited the apartment building late Saturday afternoon.

It happened at a five-story building near 119th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Eyewitness News reporter Marcus Solis has the latest.

The latest, 17 people injured including the most serious injury to a young child. He is in very critical condition.

All this after a gas explosion turned a quiet Saturday afternoon here into chaos.

"It felt like an earthquake shake," said a witness.

It blew out windows four stories high and sent over a dozen people to the hospital.

Around 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon, a gas explosion ripped through 10 west 119 Street. The blast was in the rear of the first floor.

According to witnesses, windows were blown out and lots of debris is around the scene. Several people are treated by EMS.

Good Samaritans, who were at a nearby barbershop, immediately began looking for people.

"We ran inside and we took her daughter and son out. We grabbed her and we continued to look," the good Samaritan said. "We kicked in a couple more doors."

Seventeen people were injured, including four children ranging in age from 7 months to 11 years old. The infant is in critical condition.

For hours, firefighters and police officers have been going through the building bringing out large pieces of debris.

From the rear, you can see the force of the blast that blew a window out into the parking lot.

Sources say cocaine and money were found in one apartment leading investigators to initially suspect there may have been a crystal meth lab inside.

But officials concluded the cause was indeed gas.

"It does appear to be a gas leak explosion that then causes a flash fire," said Fire Commission Nicholas Scoppetta. "We'll inspect the building for any structural damages and make sure that it is stable before anybody is allowed back into the building."

The children are being treated at Harlem Hospital. One firefighter suffered a neck injury and he is in stable condition.

This investigation will go on through Saturday night.

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