The explosion and collapse were reported at around 3:20 p.m. at 7th Street and Second Avenue Thursday afternoon at a residential and commercial building.

According to the Fire Department multiple injuries have been reported and two people were rushed to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition.

The explosion and collapse forced numerous street closures in the area.

According to Department of Buildings records, there was a stop-work order on the building.

“There was a loud explosion that shook the whole block, windows shook and when we walked out to look and investigate the whole building on Second Avenue and seventh was blown out”, said a witness.