Mystery explosion rocks Harlem area of New York

Breaking news...

Reports of an explosion or building collapse in the Harlem area of New York are emerging on Twitter and various news sites this afternoon, with this particular image released by the New York Fire Department Twitter account:

Now: Photo of #Manhattan collapse. #FDNY has 39 units and 168 members responding. The scene is developing. pic.twitter.com/zWhTmi9Dsm — FDNY (@FDNY) March 12, 2014

LIVE: Updates on the explosion in East Harlem. At least 16 injured http://t.co/vEiuAuXWv5 pic.twitter.com/V1CW3xNYOk - @amNewYork — NewsBreaker (@NewsBreaker) March 12, 2014

New York City Alerts had these images:

Manhattan: *5 Alarm Fire* E116 St & Park Ave U/D 5th alarm transmitted for the building explosion with collapse. pic.twitter.com/NSngUuzonZ — New York City Alerts (@NYCityAlerts) March 12, 2014

 

Debris covers the neighborhood @ThisIsVarEZ: Damn that building explosion on 116th n Park ave #Harlem pic.twitter.com/wbtKqNxm3L

Edificio colapsó en #NewYork y deja hasta el momento cuatro personas heridas http://t.co/mp6aOVvdBi pic.twitter.com/89Jp9goVZI — Revista Semana (@RevistaSemana) March 12, 2014

  — A~ (@RES911CUE) March 12, 2014

According to RTE News, a spokesperson from the New York Police Department commented that "It was an explosion and a building collapsed" and that "the call came at 9.34am (13.34pm GMT). It is a residential building. The New York Fire Department is in the process of extinguishing the fire." More to follow...