At least seven people are injured after gas explosion causes home to collapse in Wappingers Falls: Two people pulled from the rubble
- At least two victims were found under the rubble
- Officials have requested helicopters to take the injured to hospital
- The public has been asked to avoid the area
At least seven people were injured in an explosion Thursday after a construction crew reportedly ruptured a natural gas line in Wappingers Falls, New York.
The explosion damaged a family home, which half collapsed.
At least two victims were found under the rubble, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal. Children are reportedly among the injured.
A heavy equipment operator is reportedly trapped in his machine as first responders try to reach him.
One of the injured is a state soldier who was one of the first to respond to the scene.
At least seven people were injured in an explosion Thursday after a construction crew reportedly ruptured a natural gas line in Wappingers Falls, New York.
Officials have requested helicopters to take the injured to hospital
Officials have requested helicopters to take the injured to hospital.
News 12 Westchester reports witnesses saw a mother and her two children leaving the home “severely injured.”
The public has been asked to avoid the area of Main Street, Mesier Park, Mill Street and High Street while firefighters work.
The Dutchess County Emergency Management said, “Please be advised that EAST and WEST MAIN ST are CLOSED in the V/Wappingers between SOUTH AVE and DELAVERGNE AVE due to extensive fire response to a building collapse. AVOID THE AREA until further notice.’
Governor Kathy Hochul released a statement on the incident.
Witnesses reportedly saw a mother and her two children leaving the house ‘severely injured’
She wrote: “I have been informed of the building collapse in Dutchess County and have deployed State Emergency Services personnel to assist in the response. New Yorkers: please follow the directions of law enforcement and other first responders working to keep the community safe.”
A spokesperson for Central Hudson said a contractor hit a 3/4-inch gas line and the dig caused a fire and explosion, as reported by ABC 7.
The explosion happened on Brick Row at around 12.22pm.
Electric and natural gas services were shut off in the area at 1:30 p.m.
Gov. Hochul added, “I join all New Yorkers in praying for the Village of Wappingers Falls.”
Wappingers Falls is located about an hour north of Westchester County.
The cause of the explosion is under investigation
Officials have requested helicopters to take the injured to hospital