New York buildings collapse: Toll rises to four

A major explosion caused by a gas leak that flattened two Manhattan apartment buildings Wednesday has till now claimed four victims.

Witnesses said that flames and smoke were seen billowing from the street after they heard an explosion which resulted in the collapse of the buildings, and the force of the damage blew out windows in neighboring buildings as well, the New York Times reported.

The police said that two residential buildings - 1644 and 1646 Park Avenue - had collapsed and at least 16 people were injured.

The Fire Department said it received the first report at 9:31 a.m. and was still working to determine the cause.

Rescue workers continued to search the rubble till late night, hoping to find the nine residents of the buildings who were still missing late Wednesday.

The cause of the gas leak remained unclear as a team from the National Transportation Safety Board, which oversees pipeline safety, came to help the investigation.