Man Loses 'Beloved Home' in NYC Explosion, Fire
— -- A New Yorker feels lucky to be alive after a fire and explosion destroyed his "beloved home of two years" in New York's East Village Thursday afternoon.
Parker Voss considers himself lucky he wasn't at home when the blaze and building collapse ruined "every last thing I own," Voss, 27, told ABC News today.
"More than anything, I am lucky because I am safe and I am supported by friends and family," said Voss, who was returning from his job as an art director.
Voss lived at 119 2nd Avenue -- one of four buildings that were impacted in Thursday's fire. One building completely collapsed while two buildings partially collapsed, according to a New York City official.
"I just think the most shocking part of it," Voss told ABC News, "is I'll never go back."
Voss wrote on Instagram, "In less than a day I have felt broken-hearted, displaced, vulnerable and also courageous, resilient and greatly supported. I have my life and my faith and my relationships and my memories and those are the most important. For me moving forward, this is a new start completely. My prayers go out to everyone affected by this tragedy."
Around 3:17 p.m. Thursday, witnesses reported what sounded like an explosion at Sushi Park restaurant at 121 2nd Avenue, which is at the bottom of a five-story, pre-war building that houses a handful of residential units.
Neither Voss nor his roommates were home at the time.
"I was walking from the West Village and I could see a black tunnel and smoke above the building. Everyone was saying it was a huge fire," Voss said.
"I went back as soon as I heard of the fire and couldn't get close," he said.
At least 25 people were injured and two people are unaccounted for, according to officials.
It was unclear how many people were inside the building when the fire occurred, according to the New York City Fire Department.
"Preliminary evidence suggests a gas-related explosion," said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, adding that the investigation is ongoing. He said the incident "appears to have been caused by plumbing and gas work that occurred in 121 2nd Avenue."
Actress Drea De Matteo said her longtime home also was among those destroyed.
De Matteo posted this photo to Instagram and wrote, "NYC's finest trying to put out the flames to mine n many others apartments"
