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D.C. House Explosion Injures Occupant: Video
By ROBY CHAVEZ/myfoxdc
WTTG MYFOX5
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A D.C. man is hospitalized tonight with second and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body after his house exploded with him inside. It happened at a home on 46th Street SE on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after 3:30 pm, one neighbor said, "I heard this loud noise like something blew up."
Residents went running next door when they heard a big boom coming from the home.
"It was pretty sad. It really hurt-- it brings tears to your eyes. It was rough," said a next-door neighbor.
The force of the explosion was so big it blew out the back wall of the home.
"It looks awful. It looks like an earthquake," said a neighbor as she explained the damage.
When firefighters arrived at the house at 1127 46th street SE, it was still on fire. The damage was so bad they only had enough time to go in and rescue the 49-year-old man and his dog stuck in the basement.
"The firefighters initially very, very bravely went inside the house," said Chief Dennis Rubin of D.C. Fire & EMS. "They did knock the fire down. They did assist with his rescue. There was one dog at home. They did get the dog out and then it was realized that this building is too far gone. There was no structural stability, so we backed out."
Neighbors say their neighbor was yelling-- he was hurt and in pain. It was a horrible site.
"I was frightened. Oh it was something. Then the guy was standing out there where he had been burnt. So they were trying to help him," said a next-door neighbor.
"It was very, very scary," another neighbor told FOX 5. "I'm just glad that Vernon is alive and I'm praying that he gets the help that he needs. We're very concerned. We'll be here when he comes home."
The house was badly damaged and it may now have to come down. Investigators spent the night trying to figure out what was in the basement which caused the home to blow up. Officials believe it may have been propane tanks which exploded.
"It could have been LP gas," said Rubin. "There are rumors there are containers. We have not found them yet-- or it could have been some other type of heavier than air flammable liquid or perhaps some ammunition."
At this point, officials say the investigation continues. The home has been deemed a danger and uninhabitable.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
WTTG MYFOX5
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A D.C. man is hospitalized tonight with second and third-degree burns over 90 percent of his body after his house exploded with him inside. It happened at a home on 46th Street SE on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after 3:30 pm, one neighbor said, "I heard this loud noise like something blew up."
Residents went running next door when they heard a big boom coming from the home.
"It was pretty sad. It really hurt-- it brings tears to your eyes. It was rough," said a next-door neighbor.
The force of the explosion was so big it blew out the back wall of the home.
"It looks awful. It looks like an earthquake," said a neighbor as she explained the damage.
When firefighters arrived at the house at 1127 46th street SE, it was still on fire. The damage was so bad they only had enough time to go in and rescue the 49-year-old man and his dog stuck in the basement.
"The firefighters initially very, very bravely went inside the house," said Chief Dennis Rubin of D.C. Fire & EMS. "They did knock the fire down. They did assist with his rescue. There was one dog at home. They did get the dog out and then it was realized that this building is too far gone. There was no structural stability, so we backed out."
Neighbors say their neighbor was yelling-- he was hurt and in pain. It was a horrible site.
"I was frightened. Oh it was something. Then the guy was standing out there where he had been burnt. So they were trying to help him," said a next-door neighbor.
"It was very, very scary," another neighbor told FOX 5. "I'm just glad that Vernon is alive and I'm praying that he gets the help that he needs. We're very concerned. We'll be here when he comes home."
The house was badly damaged and it may now have to come down. Investigators spent the night trying to figure out what was in the basement which caused the home to blow up. Officials believe it may have been propane tanks which exploded.
"It could have been LP gas," said Rubin. "There are rumors there are containers. We have not found them yet-- or it could have been some other type of heavier than air flammable liquid or perhaps some ammunition."
At this point, officials say the investigation continues. The home has been deemed a danger and uninhabitable.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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