Gas explosion triggers massive fire in Manhattan’s Upper East Side apartment building

Videos posted online show firefighters battling fierce flames on the building’s rooftop while heavy black smoke billowed overhead.

Over 140 emergency responders on site

According to city officials, more than 140 FDNY and EMS personnel responded to the third-alarm fire. The incident has injured at least four people, the building’s superintendent, who was in the basement when the explosion occurred, and three firefighters. All are being treated for minor injuries.

Kaz Daughtry, New York City’s Deputy Mayor for Public Safety, urged residents to steer clear of the area.

“This is an active incident, avoid the area and follow official channels for updates,” he posted on Facebook, praising the “amazing job” by first responders.

Cause of the fire: Gas buildup in basement

Preliminary reports from ABC 7 indicate the blaze was sparked by a buildup of gas in the building’s basement. The force of the explosion was strong enough to be felt several blocks away.

Social media fills with eyewitness accounts

Local residents flooded social media with reports of the incident.

“On 90th and 3rd and the smell of burning is quite strong,” one user wrote on Reddit. Another noted, “Just got an alert about it — three alarm fire.”

Situation still developing

As crews continue working to fully extinguish the blaze and secure the building, authorities are investigating the exact sequence of events that led to the explosion. Streets around the site remain closed, with heavy traffic diversions in place.