The day before two buildings collapsed in East Harlem after a major explosion, Ruben Borrero smelled gas.
He says his mom, whom he lives with, filed a 311 complaint, and it wasn't the first time residents at 1646 Park Ave. had complained about the stench. Around one month ago, Borrero said the smell was so bad that it was impossible to even be in the building. People were getting nauseous after a few seconds.
See also: Live Updates: 2 Dead After Buildings Collapse in NYC
"The first time was unbearable," Borrero, 32, told Mashable. "You walked into the building, and you had to walk straight back out. It was that bad."
He said residents complained, and the building's landlord told them he would check out the situation, but when he smelled gas on Tuesday, Borrero knew there was still a problem.
"My mother said she was smelling gas the day before," Justine Rodriguez, who lives at 1652 Park Ave., told Mashable.
She hadn't smelled anything herself, but woke up to shattered glass right as the explosion happened.
Rodriguez said every window in her house was broken, and that police officers said no one would be allowed back in her building tonight. She said they didn't give a date for when residents might be allowed back in.
Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano, however, said the first indication of a gas leak came from a call into Con Edison at 9:13 a.m. ET on Wednesday, roughly 15 minutes before the explosion. Teams were dispatched to the scene at 9:15 a.m. ET. Mayor Bill de Blasio backed Cassano's statement this afternoon during a press conference in East Harlem; Officials said Con Edison gets hundreds of gas leak reports daily.
The New York Fire Department ruled that Wednesday's explosion was the result of a gas leak.
Borrero, who lives with his 58-year-old mother and 16-year-old sister, said no one was home when their building was rocked, but he was in the Bronx and didn't know that at the time.
"I dropped everything and called my sister first," Borrero said. His sister was at work, but he got through eventually. His mom was already at work.
"You have no idea how relieved I feel," he said.
However, Borrero is afraid they may have lost much of what was in their home, including his father's ashes.
Two women are dead, 18 people are injured, and at least 12 people are still unaccounted for. Once the fires are under control, rescue workers will sift through the rubble for survivors.
"This is going to be an extended operation," de Blasio said.
As the recovery effort continues, family members looking for information about their loved ones can call 311 until the city can set up a dedicated hot line.
A general view on the corner of 116th and Park Ave in Harlem where the building collapse took place around 9:30 am this morning.
Firefighters respond to an explosion that leveled two apartment buildings in the East Harlem neighborhood of New York.
Walking towards the building collapse at 116th and Park Avenue in Harlem, smoke filled the streets.
Con Edison crew members trying to reach gas pipes underground.
Debris covers the Metro North rail line across the street from the two building collapse.
Multiple outlets are reporting that at least two people are dead after two buildings collapsed in East Harlem.
Smoke could be seem from blocks away and the smell of smoke and sulfur filled the air.
The roads were shut down three blocks in each direction, with only police officers and fire fighters allowed through.
A witness to the collapse talks to a journalist about his experience. Many people who were in the area said it felt like an earthquake.
Glass store fronts were blown out a few doors down from the collapse.
Many fireman, policeman and first responders were wearing face masks in order to protect themselves from the choking smoke that filled the air.
The Metro North Hudson Line has been shut down until the debris is removed and the area is deemed safe.
The building adjacent to the collapse is strewn with debris- wood, glass and clothes can be seen in the piles.
Crowds outside of the blocked off streets near the collapse. Many lived in the area and were wondering when they would be able to go back home.
Police scan the Metro North rail line.
Many people in the area were taking their own photos with cellphones and tablets.
Brick, dust and wood fill 116th street, making it difficult to walk around.
Con Edison crews work to try and reach a main gas line in order to shut off power to the area.
The press waits on the corner of 114th street and Park Avenue for a media briefing.
Three hours after the collapse, fire crews are still dousing the site with water, trying to contain the blaze.
The smoke from the collapse can be seen from blocks away.
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