NYC explosion: Manhattan blast erupts less than two miles from Jeffrey Epstein’s former residence, steps from Gracie Mansion; see what else this area is known for

Manhattan’s Upper East Side was rocked on Friday morning, August 15, by a powerful explosion and raging fire at 305 East 95th Street. Thick black smoke billowed into the skyline, triggering a massive emergency response.

The incident, which occurred at approximately 10:04 a.m. ET, drew 170 New York City Fire Department (FDNY) members and 40 units to the scene.

FDNY officials say the blaze began on the building’s roof and quickly spread to the cockloft, the space between the ceiling and roof, and into three penthouses on the top floor.


In an X post, it quoted Deputy Assistant Chief James Canty, “Units arrived within four minutes and discovered fire on the roof. That fire quickly extended to the cockloft, which is the area between the top floor ceiling and the roof level.”

A neighborhood with historic and cultural significance

The exact location of the explosion is at 305 East 95th Street, between First and Second Avenues on Manhattan's Upper East Side, in a seven-story apartment building.

The explosion site sits in Yorkville, a historically immigrant-rich enclave of the Upper East Side that has undergone extensive gentrification in recent years. Just blocks away lies Central Park, one of New York City’s most iconic landmarks, and Museum Mile, home to world-class institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Also nearby is Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the city’s mayor, and Metropolitan Hospital Center, which stands just a short walk away. The Q subway line’s 96th Street station, only steps from the site, offers rapid access to the rest of Manhattan.

The building is less than two miles from Jeffrey Epstein’s former Manhattan residence at 9 East 71st Street, adding an eerie notoriety to the area’s history. One social media user humorously posted on X, ‘This is Jeffrey Epstein’s former residence, by the way.’

For decades, Yorkville and the neighboring Carnegie Hill have been known for boutique shops, upscale dining, and their close-knit residential feel.

What caused the NYC explosion?

ABC 7 reported that a gas buildup in the building's basement ignited a third-alarm fire. The building's superintendent was in the basement during the incident and is currently receiving treatment for a minor injury.