Update: Victim, 48, In Ridgefield House Explosion Dies

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

Responders included PSE&G.
Photo Credit: *Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE*

A man who was watching the Ridgefield house for his father got out OK, neighbors said.
Photo Credit: *Cecilia Levine*

Firefighters continued to battle the flames an hour later.
Photo Credit: *Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE*

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

Aerial view.
Photo Credit: *COURTESY: CBS2 New York*

by Jerry DeMarco & Cecilia Levine

06/17/2019 3:30 p.m.

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.

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

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Arson Investigations Unit was trying to determine what caused the explosion, which completely demolished the house and hit neighboring buildings and vehicles with flying debris.

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 by Cecilia Levine

COURTESY: CBS2 News New York

PHOTO by Chris Szerkal for DAILY VOICE

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