9 Victims In Hospitals From Wappingers Falls House Explosion

WAPPINGERS FALLS, NY — Police in Wappingers Falls released more details about the devastating house explosion Thursday that injured a total of 15 people.

Wappingers Falls Police Commissioner Paul Italiano said 10 people suffered blast and burn injuries from the scene.

Additionally, five first responders were treated and released from area hospitals. One firefighter injured his hand, one officer suffered a minor burn and smoke inhalation, two other officers suffered smoke inhalation and one received a dog bite while rescuing a pet.

There were no fatalities.

The victims, Italiano said, are nine males ages 8 to 59 and one female age 35.

He said a man age 46 and a woman age 35 and her two boys, ages 8 and 11, are residents of Brick Row and are currently at Westchester Medical Center.

Out of the 15 victims, Italiano said, seven have been treated and released.

Eight are at Westchester Medical Center/Maria Fareri Childrens Hospital in Valhalla.

According to the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, three are in critical condition and five are in serious condition.

One victim, who is in good condition, is being treated at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie.

Authorities said information about a gas leak was called into Dutchess County 911 around 12:14 p.m. Thursday in the area of Brick Row off of Mill Street in the village. Fire and police units were immediately dispatched to the area.

Responding officers from the Wappingers Falls Police Department reported a large explosion at 12:16 p.m. They arrived at the scene at 12:17 p.m.

Upon arrival, an officer found two children and a mother with severe blast injuries and burns. Additional victims who were working at the location were found in the immediate area.

The Wappingers Falls Fire Department under the command of Fire Chief Jason Enson, worked to put out a large portion of the structure that was on fire, while simultaneously working to free a trapped worker from under the rubble.

A triage area was set up at the intersection of Mill and High streets for EMS evaluation. It was determined that several of the victims were in critical condition and would be removed by medivac helicopter to the Level 1 and pediatric trauma centers at Westchester Medical Center. A landing zone was set up at Veterans Field which was a few blocks from the scene.

In total three people were airlifted and five additional people were airlifted from area hospitals to Westchester as well.

Italiano said the incident was contained to 1-7 Brick Row. The house at 4 Brick Row that exploded was a multiple-unit dwelling. All surrounding buildings have been deemed structurally safe, and there is no danger to the public.

All residents who were displaced have been housed by Central Hudson at area hotels.

A spokesman for Central Hudson said, while the incident is still being investigated, that a contractor doing routine maintenance on gas mains and service lines on Mill Street when a 3/4-inch service line was struck.

Gas and electrical service was turned off shortly after the explosion.

The power company said Friday morning that gas service as well as impacted electrical service has been restored to nearly all customers. For those without service, it will work with the Red Cross and village officials because freezing temperatures are expected overnight.