One Minor Injury In Bayville Explosion In Detached Garage

BAYVILLE, NJ - It sounded worse than it was.

An late night explosion near a detached garage at a Hayes Avenue home frightened a number of area residents, but no one was injured, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

"Flames were high and the explosions were scary and loud," one woman wrote on the Bayville....Best Place on Earth Facebook page."We’re right next door. We got out of our house and jumped in our cars with our dogs. No homes were damaged. I spoke to the family and everyone is safe."

Berkeley police responded to the Hayes Avenue home on a report of a structural fire at 11:30 p.m. As Patrolmen Al Foca, Ryan Wahl, Warren Black and Sgt. Michael Ptazinski were evacuating the residence, an explosion occurred inside the detached garage from a suspected propane tank, the chief said.

No serious injuries were reported, but a male resident suffered minor burns. He was treated at the scene, but declined further treatment, DiMichele said.

The fire was contained to the garage, which was fully involved when police and the Bayville and Pinewald fire departments arrived, the chief said.

"Minor damage to the exterior of the home occurred including melted siding and cracked windows," DiMichele said. "The home had no structural damage and was deemed safe to reoccupy. The garage was totally consumed during the fire and was secured for the investigation."

The fire is currently under investigation by Berkeley Detective William Somers and the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office.

"Thank you for your prayers for our volunteer first responders," Amato wrote to the many concerned residents on Facebook.

Photo: Courtesy of Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr.