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The horrific incident took place in Dutchess County around 12:15 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 2 in Wappingers Falls in the area of Brick Row off of Mill Street.
Officials with Central Hudson Gas & Electric said that a contractor struck a 3/4-inch gas line causing a fire and explosion.
When the village of Wappingers Falls Police arrived on the scene they found two children and a mother with severe blast injuries and burns, said Wappingers Falls Police Commissioner Paul Italiano.
Additional victims who were working at the location were located in the immediate area.
The Wappingers Falls Fire Department under the Command of Fire Chief Jason Enson, worked to extinguish a large portion of the structure that was on fire, they simultaneously worked to free a trapped worker from under the rubble, Italiano said.
Police set up a triage area at the intersection of Mill and High Streets for EMS evaluation.
It was determined that several of the victims were critical and would be removed by medivac helicopter to the level-one trauma center at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla.
A landing zone was established at Veterans Field a few blocks from the scene. In total three victims were airlifted from the scene to Westchester. five additional victims were airlifted from area hospitals to Westchester as well.
In total 10 victims suffered blast and burn injuries from the scene. Additionally, five first responders were treated and released from area hospitals, Italiano said.
One firefighter suffered a hand injury, one officer suffered a minor burn and smoke inhalation, two additional officers suffered smoke inhalation and one suffered a dog bite while rescuing a dog.
The victims are as follows:
- Nine males aged 8-59 years old
- One woman, age 35
A man age 46, a woman age 35, and her two male children ages 8 and 11 are residents of Brick Row and are currently at Westchester Medical Center.
As of Friday, Nov. 3, out of the 15 victims, seven have been treated and released. Eight are at Westchester Medical Center with their status undisclosed, Italiano said.
"Our thoughts are with those who were affected by the terrible incident that occurred in Wappingers Falls including those in the residences who were injured as well as the contractors and first responders at the site," said officials with Central Hudson Gas & Electric. "We will continue to work with all authorities to make sure there is a complete and thorough investigation into the incident."
Officials said the incident was contained to 1-7 Brick Row, a multiple-unit dwelling. All surrounding buildings have been deemed structurally safe. There is no danger to the public.
Although there is no reason to believe there is any criminal aspect to this case, the Wappingers Falls Police Department Detective Division is conducting the investigation with the assistance of the New York State Police BCI and the Dutchess County Sheriffs Department Drone Unit, Italiano said.
All the displaced residents have been housed by Central Hudson at area hotels.
The Wappingers Falls Police and Fire Departments were assisted at the scene by 10 additional police agencies and 15 additional fire departments and EMS units.
"We would like to thank everyone involved for their efforts and assistance," Italiano said.
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