VIDEO: ‘Major explosion’ rocks New York City, sends plumes of black smoke billowing over Manhattan

New York City’s Manhattan was engulfed in black smoke following a “major explosion” in the region on Friday, local time, as per reports.

Videos of the incident which captured the devastation flooded social media — streets shrouded in haze, sirens wailing in the distance. Within minutes of the news of the explosion, nearly 100 firefighters and emergency crews swarmed the scene, battling fierce flames still clawing at the building, reported The Mirror US.

Manhattan’s iconic skyline, usually a glittering tapestry of skyscrapers, was marred by thick plumes of smoke from the blast on Friday.

New York blast

On Friday, August 15, around 10am local time, a large fire occurred near 305 East 95th Street in Manhattan, which is not far from Central Park, reported The Mirror US.

Sirens tore through the skies as firefighters rushed to the spot.

(This is a developing story. Keep checking for more updates)