Building collapse in Harlem, New York

 
Firefighters try to extinguish a fire as smoke bellows from the site of a building collapse in Harlem, New York.

Two New York buildings collapsed on Wednesday in an explosion believed to be caused by a gas leak, killing at least two people, injuring at least 18, and setting off a search for anyone trapped in the debris, officials said.

 A blast that scattered debris onto nearby rooftops brought down adjacent five-story structures shortly after 9 a.m. (1300 GMT) on the largely residential block at East 116th residential block at East 116th Street and Park Avenue in Upper Manhattan.