 The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and the New York City Police Department responded to the scene after the explosion within two minutes.Two fire companies, quartered in an FDNY firehouse located approximately five blocks to the south, reported hearing and feeling the effects of the massive explosion and alerted the department's dispatch office.Within a short amount of time, the incident escalated to a five-alarm fire, bringing over 250 firefighters to the scene.