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Mayor: Emergency crews showed how capable they are
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted after his news conference:
Once again, we have been shown what our first responders are capable of under extraordinarily difficult circumstances. #eastharlemexplosion
Mayor confirms gas leak caused explosion
Mayor of New York Bill De Blasio has confirmed that a "gas leak was reported 15 minutes before the incident" which caused the explosion. He also said that 250 firefighters are on scene in Harlem.
Mayor de Blasio continued by saying: "This is a tragedy of the worst kind" with near 20 injured and reports that two are dead.
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Energy firm: Resident reported gas odour before blast
Con Edison, the energy company which services most of New York, confirmed a resident called to "report a gas odour" before the blast:
Report of a gas odor at 1652 Park came at 9:13 from a resident. 2 #ConEdison crews were dispatched at 9:15 and arrived just after explosion.
#ConEdison crews are checking gas lines and working to make the area safe. We are working closely with the @fdny.
@chriswragge @cbsnewyork Call came in at 9:13, crew dispatched at 9:15, explosion occured around 9:40.
Smoke fills New York streets two hours after collapse
NBC New York Correspondent Jonathan Vigilotti said the smoke is "making things difficult" for firefighters searching the area for survivors:
Scenes of devastation at the Harlem building collapse
The buildings that exploded were both five stories tall and they both had collapsed down to the first floor, according to a senior FDNY official who spoke to NBC News reporter Tom Winter.
Amateur photographer at the scene Kliina1654 said "So far my building and people in it are OK. Thanks to God!"
198 firefighters at scene of New York building collapse
Now: #FDNY operating at 1644/1646 Park Avenue, #Manhattan. There are 44 units/198 members responding. http://t.co/RpwNRwkDJL
.@nycgov: Mayor @billdeblasio will deliver an update on #EastHarlemExplosion from corner of 116th & Lex Ave. at noon. http://t.co/jMoQvPPR6V
LIVE at noon: Mayor @billdeblasio will update New Yorkers on the #EastHarlemExplosion from 116th & Lex. http://t.co/O5hW2TTXws
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Computer used to create Web goes on display
A computer used by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee to devise the World Wide Web has gone on display at the Science Museum in London.
To celebrate the web's 25th anniversary, the NeXT cube computer will go on display in the 'Making the Modern World gallery' at the museum.
Baroness Martha Lane Fox, who created a charity wanting to make the UK the most digitally skilled nation, attended an event yesterday celebrating the computer going on display in London.
On March 12 1989, Sir Tim wrote a paper called "Information Management: A Proposal" which aimed for a "universal linked information system" and sent it to his fellow colleagues.
Mike Sendall, Sir Tim's boss, said the paper was "vague but very exciting."
At least two dead in Harlem building collapse
At least two people have died and 20 are injured after two buildings collapsed, following an apparent gas explosion. Matt Washington, chairman of Community Board 11 which represents East Harlem has told NBC.
At least 16 injuries reported at the building collapse
The New York Fire Department has updated its social media account by tweeting that 16 people are injured, with the scene still ongoing.
Now: There are 16 injuries related to the collapse at 1644 & 1646 Park Ave, #Manhattan. The scene is still developing.
TV medium Derek Acorah banned from driving
TV medium Derek Acorah has been banned from driving and fined £1,000 after a car crash.
The 64 year old, whose real name is Derek Johnson, was criticised after appearing at Bootle Magistrates' Court in Merseyside where he admitted driving without due care and attention and failing to provide a breath test.
Senior District Crown Prosecutor Philippa Kennedy said: "Derek Johnson's driving on that day could have caused serious injuries.
"Failing to give a breath sample is also a serious offence - no one is above the law."
Acorah, who is best known for appearing on the series Most Haunted, was fined £1,000, ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £85 costs, and was disqualified from driving for 28 months.
