More than 12 people are injured, some critically, after gas explosion causes home to collapse in Wappingers Falls

UPDATED: 18:26 EDT, 2 November 2023

 

• Some of the victims have been critically injured during the ordeal

• Officials have requested helicopters to transfer the wounded to the hospital

• The public has been asked to avoid the area

 

An explosion has left at least 12 people injured - some critically - after a construction crew reportedly ruptured a natural gas line in Wappingers Falls, New York.

 

The explosion damaged a family home, which half collapsed.

 

At least two victims have been found in the rubble, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. The injured reportedly include children.

 

A heavy equipment operator is reportedly trapped in his machine as first responders try to reach him.

 

One of the injured is a state trooper who was one of the first to respond to the scene.

 

Officials have requested helicopters to transfer the wounded to the hospital.

 

News 12 Westchester reports that witnesses saw a mother and her two children come out of the home 'badly hurt.'

 

The public has been asked to avoid the area of Main Street, Mesier Park, Mill Street and High Street while firefighters work.

 

One witness, Floriant Shabanaj, told CBS: 'So we hear the explosion. It shakes the building and then we run, with my brother over here, to help the people.

 

'The firefighter was trying to pull him [a victim] up, take him from the bricks, because the bricks after the explosion fall over on him.'

 

Chrissy Bell, who lives in the house across from the one that was destroyed, said: 'Oh my God, we're so lucky it wasn't worse on our side. My mom was home. The windows were blown out. She heard a shake.

 

'The door blew open. She looked out and the other building was gone.'

 

Resident Marcia Ward added: 'I thought maybe something hit the house or the kids, so I'm running through the house.

 

'I didn't know what it was, so we came running out here and we saw that it was awful.'

 

People who have been left homeless because of the explosion will be housed and receive food vouchers by Central Hudson Utilities.

 

The Dutchess County Emergency Management said: 'Be advised that EAST and WEST MAIN ST are CLOSED in the V/Wappingers between SOUTH AVE and DELAVERGNE AVE due to extended fire department activity at a building collapse. Please AVOID THE AREA until further notice.'

 

Governor Kathy Hochul issued a statement about the incident.

 

She wrote: 'I have been briefed on the building collapse in Dutchess County and have deployed State emergency services personnel to assist in response efforts. New Yorkers: please follow directions from law enforcement and other first responders working to keep the community safe.'

 

A spokesperson for Central Hudson said a contractor struck a 3/4-inch gas service line and the dig caused a fire and explosion, as reported by ABC 7.

 

The explosion happened at around 12.22pm on Brick Row.

 

Electric and natural gas services were cut in the area at 1.30pm.

 

Gov Hochul added: 'I join all New Yorkers in praying for the Village of Wappingers Falls.'

 

Wappingers Falls is about an hour north of Westchester County.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12703977/At-seven-people-injured-mass-casualty-incident-gas-explosion-causes-home-collapse-Wappingers-Falls.html