A man is reportedly missing after he went on a lunch date with a co-worker at a restaurant that was caught up in a suspected gas explosion in New York.
Four buildings were engulfed in flames – of which two also collapsed – around 3.20pm local time yesterday while plumbing works were being carried out. Nineteen people were injured, four of which are in critical condition.
Nicholas Figueroa, 23, finished having lunch with a female colleague at Sushi Park – situated at the base of one of the East Village buildings – and had just paid for their meal. He has not been seen or heard from since, The New York Times reported
His co-worker suffered a broken nose and had been unconscious after the blast. She only remembered that she had gone to the restaurant at 121 Second Avenue with Mr Figueroa when questioned at Bellevue Hospital about what had happened.
A $13.04 debit card transaction from Mr Figueroa’s bank statement shows that he paid for their meals right before the blast. His brother Tyler, 19, said he is still missing after the family had searched hospitals and contacted the police for help.
“My father is not stable, because he’s crying so much,” Tyler said, according to The New York Times. “The police said that they’re looking into it, but we just want to know how this could’ve happened.”
Mr Figueroa and his co-worker are reported to have both worked at Bowlmor Lanes on Manhattan’s Chelsea Pier, not more than half a mile (just less than a kilometre) away from the site of the explosion.
Preliminary reports indicate the explosion was caused by a gas leak while plumbing works were going on in the buildings – which consist of restaurants at street level and apartments on upper floors.
Around 250 firefighters were called to battle with the seven-alarm blaze. Residents of upstairs apartments in five buildings have been unable to return home. Around 55 adults and one child stayed at a Red Cross shelter at a nearby school last night.
A plumber was doing work connected to a gas service upgrade in the building, and inspectors for utility company Con Edison had been there, company President Craig Ivey said. Despite preliminary reports, the firm claims there had been no leaks.
The company said yesterday in a statement: “Con Edison personnel were at the location to evaluate work the building plumber was doing inside 121 2nd Ave. in connection with a gas service upgrade.
“The work failed our inspection for several reasons, including insufficient spacing for the installation of the meter in the basement.
