The building housed a doctor's and dental office and collapsed around 8:40. According to eyewitnesses, Con Edison workers were on the scene earlier in the morning reportedly investigating a gas leak prior to then explosion. The FDNY Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta reports at least 11 people injured including five civilians and six firemen. The only occupant of the building reported injured was a doctor, Nicholas Bartha, the building's owner. Bartha was able to call authorities from his phone while buried in the wreckage.
A police official speaking on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that a lawyer for the doctor's wife contacted police recently and said that she had received an e-mail from him saying he was contemplating suicide. Bartha was being forced to sell the building, the official said. As a result of the situation, authorities believe that the explosion may be related to a suicide attempt involving gas.
© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.
