![Explosion and building collapse in New York City Firefighters extinguish a fire after a reported explosion and building collapse](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/nyc-building-collapse-004.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
By TIME Photo
![Explosion Causes Two Buildings To Collapse In Manhattan's East Harlem Neighborhood Explosion Causes Two Buildings To Collapse In Manhattan's East Harlem Neighborhood](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-building-collapse.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![A victim is evacuated by emergency personal near an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York City A victim is evacuated by emergency personal near an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York City](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-001.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Explosion and building collapse in New York City Firefighters respond to a reported explosion in Harlem.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-002.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![NYC Explosion Firefighters respond to an explosion that leveled two apartment buildings in East Harlem.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-007.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![APTOPIX NYC Explosion Police respond to the scene of an explosion that leveled two apartment buildings in East Harlem.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-003.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![People watch as New York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York People watch as New York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-006.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Residents watch from the side lines of a building collapse in Harlem Residents watch as firefighters work at the scene of a building collapse](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2014-03-12t151838z_1910581837_gm1ea3c1.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![New York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York New York City firefighters examine the rubble at an apparent building explosion fire and collapse in the Harlem section of New York](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/new-york-city-building-collapse-008.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
- What if Ultra-Processed Foods Aren’t as Bad as You Think?
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- How Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Americans’ Health
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com