Firefighters are still dumping water on the site where three buildings collapsed and 25 people were injured on Thursday after a thunderous gas explosion rocked the East Village.
Compelling images captured at the scene early Friday morning show the devastation as authorities search for two people who were unaccounted for as of Friday morning. One of the missing persons is Nicholas Figueroa — a 23-year-old man who was on a date at a sushi restaurant that was destroyed in the blast. The second person was identified as Moises Lucon of Queens.
Fire crews were expected to start sifting through the rubble of the three buildings on Second Avenue at the corner of East Seventh Street around 11:15 am. The rain seems to have helped in putting out small pockets of flames that were still raging, authorities said.
At least 25 people were injured in the explosion and five of those hurt were firefighters that were taken to area hospitals. An American Red Cross reception center has been opened at Tompkins Square Branch Library, 331 E. 10th St., to assist residents who have been misplaced by the incident and provide them with counseling, shelter, clothes, food and any mental health or physical needs they may have.
As of Thursday night, 84 people have checked in to the center and 30 of those requested and were given overnight accommodation, officials said. Figueroa’s two brothers were also at the make-shift shelter on Friday hoping he will turn up.
“We’re overwhelmed,” Anthony Figueroa told the Post. “It’s a lot to handle right now. We’re really dealing with a lot right now. It’s a burden.”
“We’re gonna be here until we find out something,” he added, explaining that several of Nicholas’ cousins were also at the shelter. “Until we get another word, we’re unsure about what we’re gonna do.”
Figueroa’s other brother, Neal, urged the public to help track down a someone who was a “good person” with a “good soul.”
“Find my brother Nicholas,” he asked. ”
Neal Figueroa said that he checked his brother’s most recent purchase on his Chase Bank accounts, which the siblings share, and it confirmed that he was at the restaurant — where he spent $13.04.
“He just finished graduating from Buffalo State University. He got his job two months ago working at a Bowl-a-mart in Chelsea Piers,” he explained. “The only thing I want from this all is my brother to be safe. I want him to smile again, I want him to be home.”
Around 30 firefighters are at the still-active scene of the blast and have established a collapse zone along Second Avenue between 7th and 8th streets, officials said.
All buildings and businesses on that block have been evacuated and all utilities have been shut off. Police and fire investigators are still trying to confirm the identity of all the occupants who lived in the 49 apartments inside the buildings affected by the blast, which also destroyed a popular sushi restaurant and the Belgian fry shop Pommes Frites.
An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
Martin Thomas, who was working across the street when the explosion unfolded and went to the Red Cross shelter to see how everyone was doing in the aftermath.
“I can’t even describe how sad it is,” he said. “It’s just a miracle nobody died.”
Thomas recalled the chaos and described a scene reminiscent of a terrorist attack.
“To see what was left – it looked like 9-11,” he said. “You smoke coming out. The faces, blood all on their eyes.”
