One person was killed and at least three others injured Saturday after an explosion and partial building collapse in Brooklyn that investigators believe may have been caused by a stove removal.
The city fire department says crews responded to 4206 13th Avenue in Borough Park just after 1 p.m.
More than 200 firefighters were called to the scene of the three-story building that inlcudes apartments and a business on the ground floor.
Fire officials say the deceased, a woman whose identity was not immediately known, was found in the stairwell of the building.
Two men and a 10-year-old boy who were on the sidewalk in front of the building were injured by debris from the explosion.
One is listed in critical condition, but officials say the injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.
Five firefighters suffered minor injuries and were treated at the scene.
The fire remains under control but officials say it will be smoldering into the night.
Mayor Bill de Blasio says a full investigation will take place once the building and surrounding structures are deemed safe.
"A very tough situation but the response from the FDNY and the other first responders has been extraordinary," De Blasio said.
Fire Commisisoner Daniel Nigro said early information gathered from investigations seem to indicate a stove was being removed from a second floor apartment when the explosion took place.
"We are told the tenant there purchased a high end stove, it was their own stove, they were moving out of the apartment and were going to take the stove with them. So of course to take a stove with you it entails disconnecting the gas line which leads us - preliminarily - to look in that direction," Nigro added.
Witnesses who spoke with NY1 described the scene as chaotic.
"We heard like the floor shake and like there was a big explosion. We just grabbed everything, my uncles, everything. We grabbed everybody and just left out," said one witness at the scene.
"I see a man who was hopping on one leg. And I think he got injured because something fell down. And so then I didn't know what to do because I was with my little sister so I was like, 'Let's go! let's go! We can't be here,'" said another witness.
The city's Office of Emergency Management's twitter account is advising people to avoid the area.
The city Department of Buildings says staffers are also on the way to assess the damage.
In a statement, Governor Andrew Cuomo said the State Department of Public Service will conduct an investigation into the cause of the explosion adding.
He went on to say, "On behalf of all New Yorkers, my thoughts and prayers are with those who have been impacted by today's explosion, especially the friends and family of those lost or injured."