VIDEO: New Yorkers Rescue A Girl From An East Village Apartment SECONDS Before It Went Up In A Devastating Fire

This is an insane video. This afternoon a major, ground-shaking explosion rocked a building in the East Village on 2nd Avenue and 7th. The explosion — cause still TBD, though believed to be a gas leak — was felt all around Manhattan, with debris from the building hitting pedestrians on the other side of 2nd Avenue.

Minutes later, the apartment building and a neighboring building erupted into flames. The situation blazed out of control, resulting in a terrifying seven alarm fire. According to reports, up to 30 people are injured.

In the time between the explosion and before the fire started, a girl trying to escape from the blown-out building found herself trapped on the third floor fire escape. Her rescue by civilian by-standers was caught on video by a Twitter user:

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Just after this video was taken, the whole building went up in flames. It also demolished the building next to it, home of the famous neighborhood fry joint Pomme Frites;

Flames quickly engulfed the building before it eventually collapsed:

Thoughts and prayers to all. Hits especially close to home because I live not too far from there.

Brandon Wenerd is BroBible's publisher, writing on this site since 2009. He writes about sports, music, men's fashion, outdoor gear, traveling, skiing, and epic adventures. Based in Los Angeles, he also enjoys interviewing athletes and entertainers. Proud Penn State alum, former New Yorker. Email: brandon@brobible.com