Brooklyn basement explosion rips through home, leaves 4 hurt

NEW YORK — At least four people were injured in an explosion at a Brooklyn home Thursday night, fire officials said.

It happened 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.

Man severely burned in Brooklyn basement explosion

FDNY Assistant Chief Tom Currao said when crews arrived, they found two victims outside and two victims on the top floor of the building. According to Currao, there was glass all over the street and obvious structural damage to the building.

“Quite a powerful explosion, ripped right through the dwelling, as well as caused significant damage to the rear of the dwelling,” Currao said.

Currao said three victims suffered serious injuries: two victims were taken to a local hospital with burn injuries and potential respiratory injuries, and a third victim was taken to a local hospital to be treated for cuts and contusions. A fourth victim was treated on the scene.

Police later said four people were treated at Staten Island University Hospital, including a 63-year-old man who suffered severe burns to his body. The other victims, ages 47 to 73, were treated for minor injuries and listed in stable condition. 

Officials concerned about stability of Brooklyn building after basement explosion

According to Currao, one of their primary concerns is the structural stability of the building.

“Very significant damage. Windows that were blown out. The back, the structural part of the building actually is damaged and blown out as well. Very significant type of explosion,” he said.

Currao said the two occupancies are attached to the home where the explosion occurred were evacuated as a precaution and gas was shut off for four buildings on the block.

The fire chief also said they requested the buildings department to investigate the integrity of the buildings, as firefighters have identified concerns.

The Department of Buildings arrived on the scene overnight and determined the blast damaged floor joists and cracks in the walls between the building and neighboring properties. 

The cause of the explosion is unknown at this time. The fire marshal is on the scene to investigate.

Neighbors say they smelled gas after explosion

Neighbors told CBS News New York’s Ali Bauman they heard and felt a large bang, then smelled gas in the air.

“I heard a loud bang. I assumed it was a truck that hit the building, but I saw my neighbor’s front door in the middle of the sidewalk and that was time to get out of there,” one neighbor said.

“We rushed out of the house and we saw people starting to gather on the streets, and there was smoke coming from this direction. So as we ran to the house to see what was happening, that’s when we saw the two victims just staggering out of the house,” another neighbor said.

The Red Cross was on the scene to support affected residents.