Fears that people are trapped in collapsed New York building

There are fears that people have become trapped at the site of a collapsed building in New York, and that many have been injured.

Smoke can be seen rising from the rubble at 116th Street in Harlem, and fire crews are at the scene..

Reports of an explosion at the site could not be immediately confirmed. WABC reported that residents heard a large explosion in an apartment building at around 9am local time.

The fire department said the reports came in from around Park Avenue between 114th and 117th streets.

Sky's Hannah Thomas-Peter said there was as yet no official confirmation of casualties.

"(officials have confirmed) this is a building collapse, with fire," she said "There have been reports (of) an explosion and multiple casualties, although there has been no official confirmation of that yet."

116th and Park RT @orangeadnan: Huge explosion at east harlem. A building just completely exploded. pic.twitter.com/7R63VJQtyG

— Neetzan Zimmerman (@neetzan) March 12, 2014

Now: Photo of #Manhattan collapse. #FDNY has 39 units and 168 members responding. The scene is developing. pic.twitter.com/zWhTmi9Dsm

— FDNY (@FDNY) March 12, 2014