At least 25 people have been injured following an explosion in the New York City neighbourhood of Chelsea, although authorities have confirmed that at this stage, none of the injuries appears life-threatening.
25 injuries to civilians confirmed at 133 W 23 St #Chelsea. None appear to be life-threatening at this time
— FDNY (@FDNY) September 18, 2016
Per New York Post reports, at approximately 8.40pm, a dumpster blew up outside a 14-storey residence for the blind, the lower windows of the structure blowing out as a result of the explosion.
Residents from nearby bars and restaurants flooded the streets, and Jakir Aussin, a local Dunkin Donuts employee, said:
“It was a quiet night, and then I heard this deafening boom. My first thought was, ‘Oh god, a bomb,’ so I got down on the floor … [Later on] I looked outside and it’s all broken glass, car alarms going off – I still don’t know what happened.”
Videos captured by bystanders show the confusion the immediate aftermath of the event:
Just kicked out of the diner due to explosion next door #Chelsea #23rdstreet #nyc pic.twitter.com/PtnfCT0YJD
— Brian R (@trainsflyby) September 18, 2016
Police radio transmissions indicate that people still inside the building were told to stay there as the investigation continued. The cause of the blast is not yet clear.
Source: NY Post.
Photo: Twitter.
