5:55PM EST: A massive explosion has leveled a home to the ground in the Floral Park section of Queens – with multiple neighboring homes engulfed in flames.
The FDNY has transmitted a signal 10-60 (major emergency) with a 3rd Alarm, and the NYPD has transmitted a Level 2 Mobilization. The address of the home is 80-50 260th Street near 80th Avenue.
There are at least two people injured at this time (their exact conditions are unknown).
Officials believe the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, and YWN has learned that Con Edison officials had been called to the area earlier Friday after reports of gas fumes coming out of the sewers.
Debris could be seen scattered a half a block away.
UPDATE Motzei Shabbos: Unfortunately, during the mayhem of the incident on Friday afternoon, YWN incorrectly reported that the home belonged to a Frum family. The home next door is a Frum home.
Firefighters found the lifeless body of Ghanwatti Boodram, who lived in the house, in the rubble four hours after the 4:50 p.m. explosion, officials said.
Our apologies for the incorrect report.
(Live reporting by YWN HPO Supervisor & Crew)
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3 Responses
Posting a clarification – I live in the neighborhood and know the frum family you are referring to. They live NEXT DOOR to the house that exploded. The house with the gas leak belonged to a different family. The frum family’s house has been very badly damaged (as far as we now know) but was NOT the one that exploded. They were able to get out of their house before the fire and are physically ok and with family in the neighborhood.
Please keep them in your thoughts and tefilot.
Shabbat Shalom
CHASDEI HASHEM that they were not at home!
Just out of curiosity, any pictures? Just wondering whether this description isn’t exaggerated. A massive explosion, multiple neighboring homes engulfed in flames??
Bigger Chasdei Hashem, they were home and got out.
If anything, the original description is an understatement of what happened.