2 buildings collapse following explosion, many injured in New York.

An explosion in New York City has caused two 2nd Avenue buildings to collapse and two other buildings are on fire in the city's East Village neighbourhood.

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio.Nineteen people have been confirmed injured by FDNY and as many as four people are in critical condition. All firefighters have been accounted for.One man has been reported missing.

Preliminary reports indicate the explosion was caused by a gas leak while plumbing and gas work was going on in the building at 121 2nd Avenue, which collapsed. The building at 123 2nd Avenue was also largely destroyed.

The buildings at 119 and 125 2nd Avenue also caught fire, but the blaze did not spread beyond there.The explosion happened about 3:20 pm on Thursday in the East Village neighbourhood in Manhattan. Local media reported that the building is home to a restaurant, with apartments above. Three adjacent buildings caught fire and another collapsed, the mayor said.