It's unknown whether anyone remains trapped inside, but at least two people have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. The extent of their injuries is unknown at this point.

The cause of the apparent blast isn't clear yet, but White House representatives ruled out terrorism almost immediately.

"As far as we know at this point, no terrorism nexus," said spokesperson Tony Snow from Washington.

Smoke poured out of the collapsed building on 62nd St., an apartment complex that also housed doctors' offices and a beauty salon, as firefighters worked to put out the flames and look for any other trapped victims.

Another possible cause for the destroyed building is a gas leak, but one witness said he didn't think that was the explanation.

"I saw the building collapse and there was a very big explosion," described Theodore Milonas. "I believe - I'm no expert - that it was not a gas explosion."

A New York Fire Department spokesperson said, "it appears to be an explosion, but it's not confirmed."

At least one neighbouring building was damaged in the incident.

Talk show host Larry King happened to be on the scene, and he described what he saw to local media.

"I saw a lot of smoke, people scurrying everywhere," King said. "There was one huge boom. ... It sounded like a bombing would sound, like the bombing of London in World War Two."

 It may not be known for some time if anyone died in the blast.

Monday July 10, 2006