[If you haven’t read the post below, tonight’s explosion was across the street from my apartment. I and my family were not in the building at the time.]
Shortly before the Mayor’s news conference a short time ago a friend who lives in my apartment building told me that the police presence seemed to be focused on the Bed & Breakfast which is immediately east of the home for the blind which I discussed in the post below. The Police Commissioner confirmed that the explosion took place outside the Townhouse Inn of Chelsea, which is at 131 West 23rd Street.
Even though this is a different building, I’m still pretty sure the dumpsters in question were connected to the construction underway at the home of the blind next door. The scaffolding tied to the construction (to the best of my recollection) goes over the B&B as well. And there are no dumpsters anywhere on the street or the sidewalks not connected to the construction.
Just for a little more context there are three buildings. A home for the blind, this Bed and Breakfast and a very imposing former Catholic Church, which was shuttered maybe two or three years ago. I believe it’s now for sale. It’s no longer operating as a Church.
There is now a report from the Associated Press that police belief the explosion came from a construction tool box in front of the building.
Here’s the report from the AP wire …
11 p.m.
A law enforcement official tells The Associated Press that an explosion in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood appears to have come from a construction toolbox in front of a building.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the person wasn’t authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation.
Police say 26 people have sustained minor injuries in the explosion on West 23rd Street.
Mayor Bill de Blasio and police officials are expected to brief reporters at the scene.
The blast happened in front of a residence for the blind. Witnesses say the explosion at about 8:30 p.m. blew out the windows of businesses in the area.
— By Karen Matthews.
