Reports: Explosion in midtown Manhattan; Update: Gas line explosion? [pics]

There are reports of the sounds of an explosion in or near Times Square in Manhattan:

@PSAgustin: I just heard a loud explosion and now fire trucks, this does not sound good. Any one know what it was? #nyc

— Paul Agustin (@PSAgustin) February 3, 2014

Just heard a VERY Loud explosion coming the vicinity of Times Square. Anyone have any info?

— Peter Shankman (@petershankman) February 3, 2014

We're on 43rd and 11th and heard huge explosion! Anyone know what it's about? Definitely NOT fireworks!! #nyc #explosion

— Kellie Norton (@KellieNorton) February 3, 2014

Loud explosion in Times Square area. Fire trucks dispatched. Heard people saying "something is happening." Hopefully it's nothing.

— Corie Kupferberg (@CorieKupferberg) February 3, 2014

Twitchy will monitor the situation and post updates as more information is available.

Updates:

Gas explosion on 42nd and dyer avenue. Shook our entire 70 story tower. Fucking very scary. All now calm. pic.twitter.com/EvAwIONbLw

— jaffa badger (@cyclingdacity) February 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/cenzopenza/status/430181715953590272

Did anyone else hear and feel that big explosion under Manhattan Plaza on 42nd Street between 9th and 10th?

— Igor Goldin (@igorgoldin) February 3, 2014

Was just on 9th and 42nd and heard an explosion. Really loud. I guess a gas line blew. Manhole fire. Not sure if I should get on subway #nyc

— Mike Giardino (@maxedmike) February 3, 2014

Nasty man hole explosion in Midtown #NYC apparently.Anyone hear it?/ @CliftonDuncanIV Blew this manhole cover IN HALF http://t.co/qS3wKQENoI

— David Clinch (@DavidClinchNews) February 3, 2014

explosion nyc midtown – reports saying gas explosion in Hell's Kitchen pic.twitter.com/D9l00LnIy2

— Wasim Ahmad (@wasima) February 3, 2014

https://twitter.com/martin_stolz/status/430184247258021889
https://twitter.com/RobertHenriksen/status/430185109200076800

Explosion in #Manhattan Looks like manhole covers that blew up #FDNY #NYPD on the scene outside #mima pic.twitter.com/TNVzfD9cHQ

— Robert Henriksen (@RobertHenriksen) February 3, 2014

#BREAKINGNEWS Gas leak & explosion reported in Midtown; several manholes blown off– photo via @wasima pic.twitter.com/ZppU7STe01

— NY Newser (@NYNewser) February 3, 2014

There still isn’t any definitive news about the cause of the explosion, but what is known is that more than one manhole cover was blown off by some sort of explosion:

#nyc #midtown #explosion looks like 3 manhole covers have been clearly blown away pic.twitter.com/ElsYWvmOLf

— jaffa badger (@cyclingdacity) February 3, 2014