One dead, 16 injured in New York building collapse

Scores of firefighters are at the scene of a collapsed building in the Harlem area of New York.

Officials have confirmed there was an explosion. One person is confirmed dead and 16 others have been injured.

Terrorism has been ruled out.

One witness said smoke from the collapse could be seen for miles around.

"I came out, looked up and the buolding was just gone," he said.

"It was smoking…I know there were people in there, so I just hope everybody's alright."

Before & after picture of the site of the explosion in #Harlem. pic.twitter.com/1mEpc5Y2mw

— Brendon Geoffrion (@tv_brendon) March 12, 2014