Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Today

Explosion in Manhattan

Aired April 25, 2002 - 14:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Back to the situation in New York right now. Brian Palmer once again, live with us, to bring us more information on what he's gathered from police and authorities. And you know, the rain is coming down there, Brian. Good afternoon again. What are you hearing?

BRIAN PALMER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes indeed, Bill. As we said before, 10 people critically injured in what appears to be an accidental and not suspicious explosion here in Manhattan, in the Chelsea section of Manhattan. Six of the most seriously injured were taken to St. Vincent's hospital, which is just south of us.

As you can see, fire trucks moving into the area. There are emergency services vehicles there that are engaged in both the clean up and the investigation of the explosion in this building, a mixed use building. There are a number of different companies there, including a sign making company.

Officials saying that they believe the explosion was caused by volatile chemicals that were being worked with in that building, possibly for etching purposes. A bunch of 50-gallon drums were off- loaded yesterday, brought into the building. So that's one of the reasons, one of the possible causes for that explosion.

Now, there are about 30 people injured less seriously, in addition to the 10 people who were critically injured with very serious burns. They were taken to four area hospitals in the area. Now, we heard from one eyewitness who was in the building when the explosion happened. He was on the seventh floor when the explosion happened.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: All of a sudden, the whole building shook. We heard it like, boom! A real hard penetration. And we know that, you know, something really happened. You know what I mean, because you could feel the vibration. The whole building shook. It couldn't have been a car accident.

First thing to mind, you leave the building. Go downstairs, try to find out. So we went outside and we saw broken windows, people running. First thing came to my mind, another terrorist attack. I don't know where at. But the building, we felt it in the building. So we all just left the building and ran down the block. And we seen dudes with, you know, all dirty, like they were in an explosion.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

PALMER: Now, in his comments to the press, assembled at engine company three, which actually happens to be right down the block from the site of the explosion, the mayor said that as far as they know, there's no serious structural damage to the building. The building is sound at this moment. But there was serious damage to the windows, to an elevator shaft, things like that -- Bill.

HEMMER: All right, Brian, thanks. Brian Palmer again reporting live on the streets of Manhattan, where a number of people, about three hours ago, terribly frightened, given that explosion there. Brian, thanks.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com