The Spanish Christian Church took up two floors, and apartments with tenants were above it, in one of the buildings. In the second building, a piano store had the first floor, and tenants lived above it as well.

A lifelong member of the Spanish Christian Church, Carmen Vargas-Rosa told a CBS News team that she smelled gas prior to the blast.

"Last night we had prayer night, and when we came out of the church… there was a smell of gas that would come and go," recounted Vargas-Rosa to a reporter. "I thought it was from the corner store there, so I went and told the owners…and then we went home."

Carmen noted that a new gas pipe had recently been installed by Con Edison, following some complaints of possible gas leakage. (Photo via CBS News)

The Spanish Christian Church had been a long-time part of the community.

Vargas-Rosa said, "[The church] just celebrated [their] 80th anniversary; the building itself, I think we've had for maybe 70 years or more."
By Thursday, five people were still unaccounted for, while the death toll rose to seven.

A relative of one of those who were killed remarked, "Life is too short, time is too short, it's all about love and family—tomorrow's not promised."

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