1 Dead in Brooklyn Building Explosion

One person is dead and three others injured after a gas explosion in the Borough Park section of Brooklyn, according to authorities.

According to the FDNY, the explosion happened just after 1 p.m. Saturday in the 4200 block of 13th Ave in a three-story building that led to its partial collapse. The fire caused by the explosion has mostly been extinguished.

Police officers responding to the scene found an unconscious woman in the stairwell of the building, where she was later pronounced dead by EMS. The victims has not been identified.

According to the NYPD, three males outside the building suffered leg injuries. A 34-year-old man with a fractured leg and ankle and a 9-year-old boy who suffered a leg injury were both transported to Methodist Hospital.

A third victim, identified as a 27-year-old male was also taken to the hospital with minor leg injuries.

Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro told reporters a gas leak that set off the blast may haven been caused when tenants of the building removed a pricey stove.

According to the New York Daily News;

“They were moving out of the apartment and wanted to take that stove with them,” Nigro said at a Saturday afternoon press conference. “(Taking) a stove with you entails disconnecting the gas line which leads us preliminarily to look in that direction for the cause of this explosion.”

The city’s Office of Emergency Management asked residents to avoid the area.

“My thoughts are with the victims of today’s explosion & their families. New Yorkers, keep them in your hearts today,” Mayor Bill de Blasio wrote on twitter.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has asked the State Department of Public Service to investigate the cause of the collapse. He called the explosion the latest in a disturbing trend of incidents that occurred in Harlem and the East Village.

“That investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided to the public as soon as they are available,” Cuomo said in a prepared statement. “On behalf of all New Yorkers, my thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by today’s explosion, especially the friends and family of those lost or injured.”

Image via NYPD

Check back for updates on this developing story.