India, Aug. 15 -- A major explosion rocked Manhattan's Upper East Side, sending thick plumes of smoke billowing into the New York City skyline on Friday morning, media reports said.

The blast led to a massive fire near East 95th Street and 2nd Avenue around 10 a.m. in the area not far from the iconic Central Park.

The incident prompted an emergency response from fire crews and police.

The cause of the explosion is not clear yet.

According to some reports, a prewar apartment building on Manhattan's Upper East Side erupted into flames Friday morning after a gas buildup in the basement triggered a powerful explosion that shook the block.

More than 100 firefighters and EMS personnel are at the scene.

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