We are following two breaking stories this afternoon: A massive fire and possible gas explosion at a house, and a collapse of a car dealership where people are trapped.
The collapse on Long Island happened just before 4:00pm. Fire teams from multiple towns responded to the scene on Cooper Avenue in Huntington Station.
An apparent blast there levelled a multi-floor building and sent debris flying. Parts of Jericho Turnpike had to be closed down, from Beverly Road to Totten Road.
There was initial word that some people may have been trapped in the building. Suffolk County Police reported all employees were out, in spite of the fact that some worked on the second floor. Somehow, they all got out. Eight people had non-life threatening injuries.
Emergency crews were searching the building to see if any customers were still inside when it happened.
An eyewitness says he was working in a lot near the dealership when he heard a roar and turned around to see it collapsing. He says at first he thought maybe they were demolishing the building, but then saw people scrambling. He reported seeing flames shooting from the front of the building, and said the entire front collapses, leaving only part of the rear of the building standing.
In Edison, New Jersey emergency crews were responding to another disaster at nearly the same time. At least one home there has been destroyed in the house fire. The house was leveled. Right now it is unclear if anyone was in the home.
