Syracuse, New York – Investigators in Syracuse, New York have determined that a home explosion on Tuesday that resulted in 12 people being hospitalized, including eight children, was caused by a free-flowing natural gas leak from a pipe in the home’s basement.
Local reports from NBC affiliate WSTM indicated that the home’s gas meter had two natural gas pipelines – one for the furnace and hot water tank, and another intended for a clothing dryer. It was found that the shut-off valve to the latter pipe was fully open at the time of the explosion, leading to the tragic incident.
The explosion, which occurred on Carbon Street, resulted in the collapse of the structure around 4 p.m. Two families were in the home at the time of the incident, with victims ranging from an 8-month-old baby to a 42-year-old man. The youngest victims, including the baby and a 2-year-old, remained in critical condition at Upstate University Hospital, while five others have been discharged, with three in good condition.
Despite the absence of any housing code violations or open work permits associated with the house, firefighters who responded to the scene claimed to have detected a strong smell of natural gas. The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation, with authorities from the ATF collaborating with the Syracuse Fire Department, Syracuse Police Department, and National Grid to determine the exact circumstances leading to the incident.
While no criminal charges are expected in relation to the explosion, the incident has raised concerns about gas safety measures in homes and the potential risks associated with natural gas leaks. Moving forward, authorities are likely to emphasize the importance of regular inspections and maintenance of gas pipelines to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.