Embassy: No Pinoys in collapsed New York buildings

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine authorities in the United States have not yet received reports of Filipino casualties in the gas explosion in New York City that destroyed two buildings.

Citing Consul Felipe Carino, the Philippine Embassy in the US said in its Twitter account there were no Filipinos residing in the collapsed buildings located in East Harlem in Upper Manhattan.

According to Associated Press reports, the explosion in the East Harlem neighborhood occurred around 9:30 a.m. (New York time) on Wednesday, about 15 minutes after a neighboring resident reported smelling gas.

The blast that resulted in the collapse of two apartment buildings killed at least three people.

The Philippine Embassy had said that there are an estimated 650 Filipinos residing in East Harlem.

Residents there will have Filipino-sounding names since East Harlem is a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood, the Embassy clarified.