According to a new report from The New York Times, an attempt at concealing illicit gas siphoning may have immediately preceded the building explosion that killed two people and injured 22 more in the East Village last week.

UPDATE 8:30 p.m.: One of the deceased has been identified as 23-year-old Nicholas Figueroa. According to reports, Figueroa was on a first date and reportedly got caught in the worst of the blast when he walked to the back of the restaurant, apparently to pay the check. His date, who was apparently waiting at the table, survived with a broken rib and punctured lung.

Thursday's East Village building explosion has left 19 people injured, with four people in critical condition, the New York Times reports. At least two people have been declared missing since the blaze was put out and the damage assessed. The above image, taken by Twitter user @jdx, gives you a sense of the immense damage.