Watch: CBS2's Coverage Of East Village Explosion, Building Collapse

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- A gas explosion ripped through two buildings, leaving at least 13 people injured in a bustling section of the East Village Thursday afternoon.

The explosion was reported at around 3:17 p.m. at 7th Street and Second Avenue. Fire crews were on the scene within three minutes, FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro said.

The fire quickly escalated to seven alarms, bringing about 250 firefighters to the scene, according to the FDNY.

Web Extra: Mayor de Blasio On The Scene Of The East Village Explosion

You can watch the videos below for all of CBS2's coverage on this developing situation.

East Village residents rushed to help their neighbors in the aftermath of the explosion. CBS2's Tracee Carrasco has an exclusive report.

Con Ed said that there were no reports of gas prior to an explosion in the East Village. CBS2's Wejia Jiang has an exclusive report.

CBS2's Matt Kozar was at the scene where much of East 7th Street was engulfed in smoke.

Early indications point to a gas explosion in the East Village. As CBS2's Tracee Carrasco explained, Con Ed crews were reportedly on the scene shutting off gas in the area.

At least thirteen people were injured in the blast. A heavy security presence was on hand at Bellevue Hospital. CBS2's Emily Smith has the latest.

CBS2's Matt Kozar spoke with East Village residents who described a 'sonic boom' type of explosion, followed by flying glass. Some added that they smelled gas around the time of the blast.

Residents had little time to evacuate as disaster struck an East Village street on Thursday. TV 10/55's Tracee Carrasco has more from the scene.

It only took minutes for a powerful explosion and fire to obliterate an East Village building, but investigators don't know how long it will take to answer 'why?' TV 10/55's Weijia Jiang has the latest.