New York hit by 'explosion' as black smoke fills Manhattan area

A massive explosion at 305 E 95th Street shook Manhattan’s Upper East Side, prompting a response from over 100 firefighters and first responders. The blast, reported at 10 a.m., was linked to a gas accumulation in the prewar building’s basement, sparking a fire that spread to top-floor apartments.

Witness Jimmy Chen posted on X: “There was a loud boom just before the fire and smoke started.” The building’s superintendent, present in the basement, sustained minor injuries and is receiving treatment. No occupants were found in the affected units.

Helicopter footage captured firefighters dousing the 59-unit structure with water. The incident’s scale raises questions about potential infrastructure failures or negligence. Authorities have not disclosed further details, fueling speculation about unreported damage or underlying causes.