Seven people are dead in East Harlem this morning as recovery efforts continue through the rubble of the two buildings that collapsed on Wednesday. The body of the seventh victim was found at 7:12 a.m., according to the FDNY. Five people are still missing.
The major explosion that shook uptown New York City around 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday was the result of a gas leak. Residents of 1646 Park Ave., one of the two five-story apartment buildings that crumbled, say they called 311 last month when nauseating gas smells permeated the building.
See also: Capturing the Collapse: 21 Images After the Explosion in NYC
"The first time was unbearable," Ruben Borrero, who lives in the building, told Mashable at the scene on Wednesday. "You walked into the building, and you had to walk straight back out. It was that bad."
City officials, however, say the first tip they received of the gas leak was call to Con Edison that came in around 15 minutes before the explosion.

The map above shows the location of the reported odor and the building collapse, as well as a nearby Red Cross facility.
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.
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.
Walking towards the building collapse at 116th and Park Avenue in Harlem, smoke filled the streets.
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.
Many people in the area were taking their own photos with cellphones and tablets.
Police scan the Metro North rail line.
The press waits on the corner of 114th street and Park Avenue for a media briefing.
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.
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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