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Cynthetiq · 07-10-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Gas Explosion May Be Cause Of Upper East Side Building Collapse

July 10, 2006

Fire Department officials say a gas explosion may have caused an Upper East Side townhouse to burst into flames and collapse Monday morning, injuring at least 11 people, including a doctor who lived and practiced in the building.

The four-story building, on 62nd Street between Park and Madison avenues, was leveled by an explosion shortly before 9 a.m. this morning.

Dr. Nicholas Bartha, who police say was the lone occupant of the building, was buried in the rubble and badly burned, but he managed to call firefighters from a cell phone. Rescue crews were then able to pull him to safety.

“We know that two doctors had practiced in that building. One of the doctors was outside on the street at the time of the explosion, the other was inside the building. He was rescued and taken to the hospital with significant burns on his body," said Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

At least 11 people were injured in the collapse, including six firefighters. In addition to Dr. Bartha, who police say was also the building's owner, there were at least four passers-by who suffered injuries.

All of the victims were taken to New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Hospital, where one of the patients is listed in critical condition. The others are either in stable or guarded condition. Sources tell NY1 those victims will probably be released from the hospital later today.

"This could have been an even worse disaster than it already is," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta .

Fire Department officials say they believe the explosion was the result of a gas leak. A Con Ed truck was reportedly on the scene investigating the leak at the time of the explosion.

The explosion was so violent, it shattered the windows of buildings across the street, scattering bricks, glass and splintered wood across the block. The fire also spread to two neighboring buildings, which were evacuated, but the blaze was quickly contained.

Meanwhile, officials are investigating whether Dr. Bartha, who was reportedly going through a divorce, could have been suicidal. Scoppetta said authorities were investigating the possibility that the blast was the result of a suicide attempt

A police official told NY1 that the lawyer for the doctor's wife contacted police recently saying she had received an e-mail in which the physician indicated he was contemplating suicide.

"We're still investigating that, talking about the potential for suicide. So that's a distinct possibility," said Scoppetta.

The landmark brownstone building stood four stories, with two doctors' offices on the first floor and at least one residence on the floors above.

There were some questions immediately following the blast about whether terrorism could possibly be to blame, particularly for witnesses who lived through September 11th and for whom the plume of smoke caused by the explosion was all too reminiscent of that day, but the White House quickly issued a statement saying that terrorism was not to blame.

Subway service was not affected by the collapse, but bus service in the area has been suspended.

The M1, M2, M3, M4, M30, M66 and M72 lines are being diverted to Third Avenue between 56th Street and 65th Street. The express buses that run on Madison Avenue have also been diverted to Third Avenue from 56th to 65th streets until further notice.

East 62nd Street is also closed to traffic between Fifth and Park avenues, two lanes on Madison Avenue are closed between 61st and 63rd streets, and two southbound lanes on Park Avenue are closed from 61st to 60th streets.

This just happened this morning, supposedly from natural gas. 4 Stories tall, no steel to bend or melt.