Bronx building collapse: Residents say high-rise 'exploded' while calling 911 for help

An apartment building in the Bronx, New York has partially collapsed after a possible explosion around 8:10 in the morning.

Shocking aerial pictures and video from the scene show a huge crater in the side of the 20-story building.

One resident who lived close to the building, located at 207 Alexander Avenue in the Mott Haven neighborhood, said she called 911 after seeing smoke.

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"I was explaining to the lady what I saw, and she was like, 'Hold on, let me transfer you to the fire department,'" the witness told WCBS; however, the building immediately fell after "a loud boom."

A gas explosion has been blamed for the collapse, but law enforcement has yet to confirm this officially.

A gas explosion has been blamed for the collapse, but law enforcement has yet to confirm this officially.

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