An explosion that leveled two New York City apartment buildings has killed at least two people and injured 17 others.

The NYPD says two females died in the East Harlem blast. 

From ABC News:

A utility company says a resident in a nearby building reported smelling gas shortly before the explosion Wednesday morning.

Con Edison spokesman Bob McGee says a resident from a building adjacent to the two that collapsed reported that he smelled gas inside his apartment, but thought the odor could be coming from outside.

He would not speculate on whether a gas leak caused the explosion.

Read more at ABC News

The cause of the explosion is unclear but Con Ed spokesman Bob McGee said the utility received a call about a gas leak around 9:13 a.m. from a resident at one of the newer buildings on Park Avenue.

The truck arrived shortly after the explosion.

Check back for updates.

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