Explosion in Harlem Building Injures 17

NEW YORK, Oct. 6 -- An explosion apparently caused by a gas leak tore through a Harlem apartment building Saturday, injuring 17 people, including four children and a firefighter, officials said.

The explosion just after 4 p.m. blew out some of the walls in the 20-unit building, witnesses said. Area residents, some blocks away, said they heard the explosion, then screams.

"It does appear to be a gas-leak explosion that then causes a flash fire," said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta.

Among the injured were four children; one was in critical condition, Scoppetta said. A firefighter was hurt when debris fell on him.

The local utility, Consolidated Edison, had no immediate evidence of a leak, but investigators were waiting until the building was stabilized before going into the apartment where the explosion originated, spokeswoman D. Joy Faber said.