Jersey Journal (New Jersey)

UNION CITY - Five people were burned and three of them are in critical condition as a result of an explosion at a 38th Street apartment building Monday night, officials said.

Firefighters responding to the 7:57 p.m. alarm found there had been an explosion in the kitchen of a third floor apartment at 412 38th Street between Bergenline and New York avenues, said North Hudson Regional Fire and Rescue Chief Brion McEldowney.

Five residents of the apartment who were apparently in the kitchen area suffered burns, McEldowney said, adding that two were taken to area hospitals and three who were severely burned were transported to the Burn Center at Saint Barnabas Hospital in Livingston.

Union City police refused to identify the victims last night because, they said, an investigation into the explosion is ongoing. Updates on the condition of the victims were not available.

Firefighters originally thought the explosion was caused by a gas leak. But last night officials said they were looking at other possibilities, noting police as well as the Office of the State Fire Marshal are investigating.

Damage in the building was confined to the apartment's kitchen, McEldowney said.

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june 17, 2009