NEW YORK — At least three people were seriously injured in an explosion at a Brooklyn home Thursday night, fire officials said.
The incident occurred at a two-story residence on East 37th Street, between Farragut Road and Foster Avenue, in Flatbush.
Police said they received multiple calls reporting an explosion in a basement around 8:30 p.m. About 20 New York City Fire Department units responded to the scene.
Two people injured by burns in Brooklyn basement explosion
FDNY Deputy Chief Tom Currao said when crews arrived, they found two victims outside and two others on the top floor of the building. There was glass all over the street and obvious structural damage to the building, according to Currao.
“A fairly powerful explosion ripped through the home and also caused significant damage to the rear of the home,” Currao said.
Currao said three victims were seriously injured: Two victims were transported to a local hospital with burns and possible respiratory injuries, and a third victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for cuts and bruises. A fourth victim was treated at the scene.
Authorities concerned about stability of Brooklyn building after basement explosion
According to Currao, one of their main concerns is the structural stability of the building.
“Very significant damage. Windows were blown out. The back, the structural part of the building, is actually damaged and blown out as well. It’s a very significant type of explosion,” he said.
Currao said the two apartments attached to the house where the explosion occurred were evacuated as a precaution and the gas was cut off to four buildings in the neighborhood.
The fire chief also said they have asked the buildings department to investigate the integrity of the buildings because firefighters have identified problems.
The cause of the explosion is unknown at this time. Firefighters are on scene investigating.
Neighbors say they smelled gas after the explosion
Neighbors told CBS News New York’s Ali Bauman that they heard and felt a loud bang, then smelled gas in the air.
“I heard a loud bang. I thought it was a truck hitting the building, but I saw my neighbor’s front door in the middle of the sidewalk and it was time to get out of there,” one neighbor said.
“We rushed out of the house and we saw people starting to gather in the streets, and there was smoke coming from that direction. As we ran towards the house to see what was happening, that’s when we saw the two victims staggering out of the house,” another neighbor said.
