Fire crews rush across city after reports of 'explosions and buildings shaking'

02 January 2024 , 12:21

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Fire crews rush across city after reports of 'explosions and buildings shaking'

Fire crews rushed to Roosevelt Island in New York City following reports of multiple explosions and buildings shaking.

The blast happened just before 6am local time on Tuesday, with witnesses claiming it caused buildings to shake. The New York City Fire Department were called to the 580 block of Main Street, south of the Roosevelt Island Bridge & Tram, after receiving reports of a building shaking and explosion.

Firefighters remain at the scene and are 'trying to find the source' of the possible explosion. No injuries have been reported and the investigation remains ongoing.

A number of people have taken to social media to describe what they felt. One said: "Anyone else feel an earthquake or explosion like feeling in New York City a few moments ago?" Another said: "Just heard a loud thump explosion-like sound in Roosevelt Island, there are 4 choppers above the sky seems to be monitoring the area."

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The blast happened just before 6am local time on Tuesday

Several power outages have also been reported in the area. According to NYCFireWire, fire crews are working to try and establish the cause of the explosions.

A post on X, formally Twitter, reads: "Update on Roosevelt Island, no condition evident except minor underground vibrations felt my members on scene. They're still trying to find the source of the 'explosions'. Sandhogs arent operating."

Roads remain open but there is a large FDNY response. Traffic is being directed through the area by NYPD officers.

Video footage taken from above shows several police cars and fire response vehicles at the scene. Separate footage, uploaded onto Citizen, a personal safety network, claims firefighters were dealing with fires coming from maintenance holes.

The FDNY are investigating the cause of the explosion (CBS)

Some residents said their home's walls shook from the impact. One resident told Mail Online: "It was very loud. 'The walls shook, and you could hear my windows rattling."

A resident in Astoria, over the East River, said they woke to "loud booms and a shake". They added: "We're still trying to chill from that. Scary stuff."

It is unclear at this stage what caused the reported explosions. Roosevelt Island is located between the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, New York City.

Sam Truelove