NJ house explosion kills 1, injures several
Three people were removed by Medevac, city spokeswoman Kelly Vancy told WABC.
They were able to rescue 14 people from the house, while one man escaped on his own after the explosion on the second floor caused the house to catch on fire, Mr. Bollwage said.
Bollwage said he was “90 percent sure it was a natural gas explosion”, but it was unclear what set it off.
ABC 7 reports the most seriously injured person is a 19-year-old woman, while the other injured victims range in age from 10 months to age 50.
There has been one confirmed fatality and up to eight people are injured, officials said.
At least six buildings surrounding the home, which was reduced to rubble in the blast and fire, were evacuated.
“There was a blast fire after the initial explosion, and we’re very fortunate we didn’t get a major fire afterward”, McNamara said. “It would have been a whole different ballgame”. Bourne said no gas leaks were found. “We’re still investigating”, Bourne said.
Lisset Garcia, who lives about two blocks away, said she was in bed with her daughter when the explosion occurred.
“I came from the back of the house, and it’s bad”, he said. “I thought a plane had crashed”.
The remaining victims, whom Bollwage said were mostly sleeping in the rear of the building at the time of the explosion, were being treated at other area hospitals. “I’m just happy to be alive”.