Four people were hurt, three with serious injuries, after a natural gas leak caused an explosion inside the basement of a multi-family home in Brooklyn, according to the FDNY.
The blast occurred around 8:30 p.m. Thursday at a three-story home on 37th Street between Foster Avenue and Farragut Road in East Flatbush, fire officials said.
When firefighters arrived at the scene, two of the blast victims were in the street, while another two were on the top floor of the home.
It was not immediately clear what sparked the explosion, but four people — including a child — suffered injuries, two of whom suffered serious burns. Fire officials said it is believed that the two burned victims were inside the basement at the time of the blast. A third individual was taken to the hospital for cuts and bruises.
Shards of glass were seen strewn about the street, while the rear of the building appeared to have structural damage, along with its windows blown out. There was no fire that came as a result of the explosion.
It was not immediately clear if the basement was a separate apartment from the rest of the home, or part of another unit.
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Buildings inspectors ordered the complete evacuation of that home, as well as the two homes next door, as the blast compromised an adjoining wall in a neighbor's home. A perimeter fence was being constructed around the site as Department of Buildings engineers and FNDY inspectors continue with their work.
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The DOB hit one of the neighboring homes with three violations related to a basement unit allegedly constructed without a permit. It was also looking into an illegal apartment in one of the neighboring homes impacted by the explosion.
A preliminary investigation by fire marshals determined the blast was caused by a natural gas leak inside the basement of the home. Utility crews shut off gas in the area as repairs are made.
