Spanish Christian Church was there over 70 Years before Wednesday's Harlem Explosion

Aimee Herd : Mar 13, 2014
Chris Kirkham – Huffington Post

"Life is too short, time is too short, it's all about love and family—tomorrow's not promised."

The death toll has risen and there are still some missing after an enormous explosion obliterated two buildings in Harlem on Wednesday morning. (Photo via Huffington Post)

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."