At least seven people are injured in mass casualty incident after gas explosion causes home to collapse in Wappinger 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
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 four-unit apartment building, which half collapsed. Officials have declared it a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI).
At least two victims were found under the rubble, according to the Poughkeepsie Journal.
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.
Officials have requested helicopters to take the injured to hospital.
The public has been asked to avoid the area of Main Street, Mesier Park, Mill Street and High Street while firefighters work.
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 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.
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.”