Officials at NY blast site work to reach basements

Emergency workers sifted through debris today from the site of a deadly explosion at two New York City apartment buildings as they worked to reach the basement levels, clearing the way for investigators to search for clues that might reveal what caused the blast.
Construction machinery was offloading debris from the site in East Harlem, which was still swarming with emergency officials from multiple law enforcement agencies.
Truckloads of scattered material will be sifted for any traces of human remains that might not have been found at the site, said city Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano. Although the bodies of all eight people reported missing have been recovered, the rescue operation was continuing in case others may be buried beneath the rubble, he said.

Arson detectives and fire marshals were waiting to enter the basements to examine meters, check pipes and inspect any possible ignition sources, such as light switches, that might have caused the blast. About 70 percent of the debris was cleared by midday Friday after a hazardous rear wall that had slowed the process was finally removed.