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Ridgefield Gas Explosion Victim, 48, Dies

UPDATE: A 48-year-old Ridgefield man who was burned on 80% of his body in an explosion that leveled his home on Monday succumbed to his injuries, authorities said Tuesday.

Requiescat in pace, Mark Schellack, 48.

Requiescat in pace, Mark Schellack, 48.

 Photo Credit: CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Firefighters battled the gas-fed flames while waiting for PSE&G to shut the line.

Firefighters battled the gas-fed flames while waiting for PSE&G to shut the line.

 Photo Credit: Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE
Firefighters battled the flames for 90 minutes -- a task made easier when a PSE&G crew closed the gas line.

Firefighters battled the flames for 90 minutes -- a task made easier when a PSE&G crew closed the gas line.

 Photo Credit: Contributed photo
At the scene Monday.

At the scene Monday.

 Photo Credit: Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE
Mark Schellack, 48, was pulled from the rubble with burns on 80% of his body, responders said.

Mark Schellack, 48, was pulled from the rubble with burns on 80% of his body, responders said.

 Photo Credit: Cecilia Levine
Responders from several towns rushed to the home at Abbott Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Ridgefield.

Responders from several towns rushed to the home at Abbott Avenue and Elizabeth Street in Ridgefield.

 Photo Credit: Googlemaps
Aerial view.

Aerial view.

 Photo Credit: COURTESY: CBS2 New York
by Jerry DeMarco & Cecilia Levine

Mark Schellack, who lived alone, was rescued from beneath the rubble of his garage by an off-duty police officer who lives nearby and two uniformed borough officers following the explosion on Abbott Avenue near Elizabeth Street just before 11:30 a.m. Monday.

He was first taken to Hackensack University Medical Center before being flown to Saint Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, where he was later pronounced dead early Tuesday.

Family members summoned a priest Monday night and were "praying for a miracle," one said.

Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said an investigation by his arson unit was continuing, although he said "it appears that the source was natural gas" from inside the house.

"PSE&G conducted a pressure test and concluded that there were not any leaks in the gas line spanning from the street to the home, indicating that the explosion was exclusive to an event within the residence," the prosecutor said Tuesday.  

It took firefighters nearly 90 minutes to extinguish the blaze -- a task made easier once a PSE&G crew arrived and closed the gas line.

All area homes in a one-block radius were evacuated as a precaution.

PHOTO: Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE

PHOTO: Cecilia Levine

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

PHOTO: Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE

COURTESY: CBS2 NEW YORK

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