The enormous explosion that rocked Harlem on Wednesday, March 12 originated in the store of New York's Absolute Piano, according to a report from the NY Daily News. The store's owner since 2005, Kaoru Muramatsu, is reported to own the building as well, which was destroyed in the explosion along with the Spanish Christian Church next door. Approximately 15 apartment units were also housed in the buildings. At least seven people were killed and over 60 were injured in the explosion and subsequent five-alarm fire.
Absolute Piano employee Colin Patterson survived the explosion. He lived in an apartment behind the store and was awake watching television when the blast occured at approximately 9:30 am. He told the Daily News that “There was a massive explosion and before you know it the building was on top of me. I didn't know what happened." The story, found here, continues:
The blast sent pianos up into the air and onto their sides. There was a "massive amount of debris" but Patterson survived.
"I was in a miraculous cocoon," he said.
The pianos were toppled everywhere.
"For me to get out I had to go around them," Patterson said. “I was digging. Everything was in slow motion."
After Wednesday, the business could not be reached. Muramatsu has owned the property since 2008, when it was transferred to her as part of a divorce settlement with her ex-husband, Carl Demler (owner of Beethoven Pianos, on W. 58th Street). Officials are investigating the cause of the explosion, though it's suspected to be a gas leak.
