Drone footage revealed extensive destruction, including at least one house completely destroyed and two terraced houses nearly obliterated, with debris scattered across the street.

The incident took place on the fourth floor of a five-story building on West 88th Street shortly after 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Residents expressed fear and concern, with one individual, Kevin Padilla, sharing that his family's apartment was destroyed in the incident.

A devastating explosion occurred just before 1 a.m., resulting in a massive fire that left a property in Violet Close reduced to rubble.

As a result of the fire, the entire building was evacuated, rendering many apartments uninhabitable.

Approximately 50 families sought refuge at the nearby Merton Lodge community center, with many unable to fit inside due to the overwhelming number of evacuees.

Local residents reported waking to a loud bang and described the aftermath, including seeing people crying in the street as they rushed to help.

Authorities confirmed that hazardous materials were not stored in the warehouse where the fire originated.

Emergency services, including multiple fire engines and ambulance crews, responded quickly to the scene, and no injuries have been reported.

The fire reportedly started in a garbage bunker owned by the Gesellschaft für Abfallwirtschaft und Abfallbehandlung (GAB), and the cause is currently under investigation.

In response to similar incidents, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation aimed at prohibiting the sale of non-compliant batteries and requiring safety training for first responders.

Fire officials have cautioned against attempting to extinguish lithium-ion battery fires with conventional extinguishers, as they are ineffective.