Explosion rocks New York apartment block, fire erupts

A powerful explosion rocked Manhattan’s Upper East Side on Friday morning, sending thick smoke into the skyline and triggering a major fire response.

According to the local media, the blast occurred around 10am near 305 East 95th Street, between First and Second Avenues, not far from Central Park. Witnesses described hearing a loud boom before flames swept across the roof of a seven-story apartment building.

“The entire building shook. I thought a truck had hit it, or maybe an earthquake,” one resident told CBS.

Fire officials said the blaze ignited in the building’s cockloft and quickly spread across three penthouses on the top floor. Within minutes, dozens of fire crews arrived, managing to contain the flames before they spread to neighbouring structures.

The New York City Fire Department confirmed three firefighters sustained minor injuries. Authorities urged nearby residents to keep windows shut due to heavy smoke and warned commuters to expect traffic disruptions in the area.

By midday, the fire was declared under control, though crews continued to monitor the site for flare-ups. The cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation.