New York City fire, building collapse injure several people

Smoke billows from a building in New York's East Village neighborhood at the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse. There were some reports of an explosion before the fire and the area was being evacuated. (AP Photo/Jonathan Lemire) Smoke billows from a building in New York's East Village neighborhood at the scene of a large fire and a partial building collapse. There were some reports of an explosion before the fire and the area was being evacuated. (AP Photo/Jonathan Lemire)

By Associated Press March 26, 2015 2 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – An apartment building on fire near New York University collapsed on Thursday, two nearby buildings began burning and several people were injured, firefighters said.

Orange flames and black smoke billowed from the facade and roof of the five-story building in Manhattan, near several NYU buildings and the Washington Square Park area. Flames were spreading to other buildings.

Firefighters said at least 12 people were hurt, three critically, and other people were being evaluated at the scene.

The area was being evacuated, and the city’s health department advised residents to keep their windows closed because of the smoke.

Investigators were looking into whether there had been a gas leak. There were some reports of an explosion before the fire.