FDNY: All 8 reported missing in blast recovered

An excavator removes debris from the site of a building explosion, Thursday in New York.

NEW YORK  — New York City’s fire commissioner says all eight people reported missing have been found and identified at the site of a deadly gas explosion that leveled two buildings.

Salvatore Cassano said no one else is known to be missing. But he stressed at a news conference today that the rescue operation will continue in case there are unknown survivors still in the rubble.

Cassano says about 60 to 70 percent of debris has been cleared. He says workers hope to clear all the debris by mid-day Saturday. That’s when detectives and fire marshals will be able to access the basements of the buildings to begin their investigation into what might have caused the blast.

Mayor Bill de Blasio says more than 100 people displaced by the blast will be provided temporary and long-term housing.