At least two people were killed Wednesday March 12, 2014, after a massive explosion and raging fire in Manhattan’s East Harlem, authorities said. Two buildings collapsed, according to the firefighters at the scene.

At least 16 people were injured. Four of the injured were taken to Harlem Hospital, including a child in critical condition, said a hospital spokeswoman. The cause was unclear but spokesman Bob McGee said the utility received a call about a gas leak at 9:13 a.m. The call came from a resident at one of the newer buildings on Park Avenue. The utility dispatched a truck two minutes later but it arrived after the explosion, the spokesman said.

Clouds of dark smoke rose over the largely residential area of redbrick tenements and small businesses after the explosion, which some residents said sounded like a bomb.

Hundreds of firefighters responded, many spraying water on the roaring blaze from ladders, others furiously pulling bricks from the collapsed buildings.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner William Bratton arrived at the scene before noon Wednesday. Metro North commuter rail service was suspended as debris from the explosion landed on the elevated tracks across the street, authorities said.

“I heard a big explosion,” said a resident who identified herself as Angelica. “I didn’t know what was going on. … My neighbors came banging on my door, telling me to get out. I guess they were evacuating the building. And I couldn’t get out. My door was jammed. Everything on my windowsill fell. I guess the impact of the explosion jammed the door as well.” The fire department will continue to investigate the cause of the explosion.