A massive explosion shook Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Friday morning, sending a towering plume of black smoke into the sky and prompting a major emergency response as flames engulfed a six-storey apartment building near Central Park.
The blast occurred around 10am ET at 305 East 95th Street, between Second and First Avenues, with witnesses reporting a loud boom that could be heard blocks away. The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has confirmed the fire was sparked by an accumulation of gas fumes in the basement of the 1910 red brick building.
More than 100 firefighters and emergency medical personnel rushed to the scene as the three-alarm fire spread rapidly through the historic 59-unit residential building, with flames visible shooting from the roof and thick black smoke billowing across the neighbourhood.
Gas Accumulation Triggers Basement Explosion
According to ABC 7 New York, the fire was ignited by a dangerous build-up of gas fumes in the building’s basement. The building’s superintendent, who was in the basement at the time of the explosion, suffered minor injuries and is currently receiving treatment.
The superintendent’s presence in the basement when the explosion occurred likely prevented a more catastrophic outcome, as he was able to alert emergency services immediately. However, the force of the blast was sufficient to send flames racing up through the building’s infrastructure to the upper floors.
The FDNY responded with a massive deployment of resources, designating the incident as a three-alarm fire – a classification indicating the severity of the blaze and the need for extensive personnel and equipment to bring it under control.
Eyewitness Accounts Describe Terrifying Moments
Social media erupted with chilling videos and first-hand accounts as the explosion rocked the typically quiet Upper East Side neighbourhood. Dramatic footage shows a massive cloud of black smoke rising above the Manhattan skyline, visible from blocks away.
One witness, who was on a video call at the time, shared their shock on X (formerly Twitter): “Just witnessed an explosion in NYC while on a video call! Never experienced anything like this before!”
Another user named Jimmy posted video footage showing flames consuming the top of the building, writing: “Yes, there was a loud boom just before the fire and smoke started.”
The explosion’s force was sufficient to be heard and felt by residents several blocks away, with many rushing to their windows and balconies to witness the unfolding emergency.
Major Emergency Response Mobilised
The FDNY shared video footage on social media showing crews “operating at a 3-alarm fire” with multiple ladder trucks positioned around the building. The three-alarm designation triggered a response of more than 100 firefighters and EMS personnel, reflecting the serious nature of the incident.
Fire officials deployed at least two ladder trucks to battle the blaze from above, with crews working frantically to prevent the fire from spreading to neighbouring buildings in the densely populated residential area. The proximity to other structures in Manhattan’s packed urban environment added urgency to the firefighting efforts.
A three-alarm fire rating indicates a blaze that requires substantial resources and personnel to extinguish safely. Such fires pose significant challenges due to their intensity, the potential for rapid spread, and the dangers they present to both residents and first responders.
Historic Building’s Features May Have Complicated Response
The affected building at 305 East 95th Street is a six-storey red brick structure built in 1910, making it over a century old. According to StreetEasy listings, the 59-unit apartment building features a roof deck – a detail that may have contributed to the rapid spread of flames to the upper levels.
Initial reports from Citizen, a real-time safety alert app, suggested that furniture on the rooftop may have been the source of the fire spreading to that area. However, with the confirmation that gas fumes in the basement triggered the initial explosion, it appears the flames travelled rapidly through the building’s structure.
Fortunately, fire officials reported that no occupants were found in the top-floor apartments when firefighters reached them, suggesting residents either evacuated quickly or were not home at the time of the explosion.
Neighbourhood Impact and Safety Warnings
The New York City Office of Emergency Management quickly issued advisories for residents in the area, urging people to avoid the vicinity of East 95th Street between Second and First Avenues due to smoke and emergency vehicle congestion.
“Expect smoke & traffic delays in the area. People nearby avoid smoke, close windows,” the FDNY warned via social media, highlighting concerns about air quality as the thick black smoke spread across the neighbourhood.
For sensitive individuals, including those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and young children, officials recommended keeping windows closed and avoiding outdoor activities until the smoke cleared. The dense smoke posed particular challenges in the urban environment, where it could become trapped between buildings and linger in the air.
Upper East Side Location Adds Complexity
The fire’s location on the Upper East Side, one of Manhattan’s most densely populated and affluent neighbourhoods, added complexity to the emergency response. The area’s narrow streets and closely spaced buildings created challenges for positioning fire apparatus and managing evacuations.
The building’s proximity to Central Park – one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks and a major tourist destination – meant the dramatic smoke plume was visible to thousands of visitors and residents. Social media quickly filled with images and videos taken from various vantage points across the park and surrounding areas.
The Upper East Side’s characteristic pre-war architecture, whilst charming and historic, can present unique challenges during fire emergencies. Older buildings may lack modern fire suppression systems and can have construction features that allow fires to spread more rapidly than in newer structures.
Investigation Underway
As firefighters continued their efforts to bring the blaze under control, investigators began the process of determining the exact sequence of events that led to the gas accumulation and subsequent explosion. The presence of gas fumes in a residential building’s basement raises serious questions about maintenance, ventilation, and safety protocols.
Gas-related incidents in New York City buildings have historically led to tragic outcomes, making the investigation into this explosion particularly critical. Authorities will likely examine:
- The building’s gas infrastructure and recent maintenance records
- Ventilation systems in the basement area
- Any recent construction or repair work that might have affected gas lines
- The building’s compliance with safety codes and inspection requirements
Previous Incidents Highlight Ongoing Risks
This explosion adds to a concerning pattern of gas-related incidents in New York City buildings. The city has experienced several high-profile gas explosions in recent years, leading to increased scrutiny of building safety protocols and infrastructure maintenance.
The incident also occurred in the same neighbourhood where, in November 2021, four firefighters were injured when a ceiling collapsed during a four-alarm fire at East 95th Street and First Avenue. That fire, which broke out in a restaurant on the ground floor of a mixed-use building, highlighted the ongoing risks faced by first responders in the area’s older building stock.
Community Response and Recovery
As the immediate crisis unfolded, the Upper East Side community rallied to support those affected. Local businesses opened their doors to evacuated residents, and neighbourhood groups activated emergency communication networks to account for residents and coordinate assistance.
The Red Cross and other emergency support organisations typically respond to such incidents, providing temporary shelter, food, and other essential services to displaced residents. The extent of displacement from this fire will depend on the structural damage assessment once the flames are extinguished.
Ongoing Situation
As of the latest reports, FDNY crews remained on scene working to fully extinguish the fire and prevent any rekindling. The building’s roof appeared to have sustained significant damage, with video footage showing flames consuming upper floor areas.
Fire officials have not yet provided a timeline for when residents might be able to return to their homes, as the building will require extensive safety inspections following the gas explosion and fire damage. Structural engineers will need to assess the integrity of the building before any reoccupation can be considered.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers that can lurk in urban residential buildings, particularly older structures where gas infrastructure may be ageing. It also highlights the rapid response capabilities of the FDNY and the ongoing risks faced by first responders who rush toward danger whilst others flee.
As this story continues to develop, authorities are urging anyone with information about unusual gas odours or safety concerns in their buildings to report them immediately to prevent similar incidents.
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