A possible gas explosion ripped apart a vacant house in Brooklyn Friday, sending smoke and charred debris flying and flames spreading to neighboring buildings
The unoccupied home, on Bay 35th Street near Benson Avenue in Gravesend, burst into flames around 7:10 a.m., according to the FDNY.
Video from the scene shows the moment the structure erupted, first sending thick smoke into the air and then plumes of fire.
A gas explosion on Bay 35th Street in Gravesend completely leveled a two-story brick home and damaged surrounding homes and parked cars on Feb. 4, 2022. Paul Martinka
One home was completely reduced to rubble. Paul MartinkaVideo from the scene shows one of the homes reduced to rubble, as firefighters comb through the scene and continue to douse the remains of the home with water.
Earlier photos show flames and thick smoke shooting from the rooftops of the buildings.
No injuries were immediately reported, but firefighters were still battling the blaze about an hour later.
Two Brooklyn homes caught fire early Friday — sending plumes of thick smoke and raging flames rising from the roof, officials said. FDNY
The fire stemmed from a gas explosion, cops said. Paul Martinka
Firefighters battled the fire for more than an hour. Paul MartinkaFootage also shows the aftermath as firefighters combed through the rubble and continued to douse the remains of the home with water.
“It appears as though the origin of this explosion took place in an unoccupied building,” Mayor Eric Adams told reporters at the scene. “The building next door was occupied. As it stands now, the preliminary investigation revealed that we don’t appear to have anyone that was inside the building that was totally destroyed.”
The exact cause of the explosion is still being probed, Hodgens said.
Hundreds of firefighters responded to the blaze. Paul Martinka
No injuries were immediately reported. Paul Martinka“First units did report an order of gas and it is under investigation,” the chief said. “The fire marshals and police department will be doing a full investigation to determine the exact cause of this emergency.”
No one was immediately reported missing, according to FDNY Chief of Department John Hodgens.
“But just just to be sure, as we pull out the debris, our units will be on the scene to look through the rubble,” Hodgens said.
The residents of the other two buildings “were able to self-evacuate,” said FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh.
At least one home collapsed. Paul MartinkaTwo families – a total of six people – who were inside those buildings were taken onto an MTA bus where the Red Cross is providing assistance, Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Christina Farrell told reporters.
All three buildings will be taken down due to structural damage, Hodgens said.
No other buildings on the block were immediately ordered to vacate.
A National Grid spokeswoman told the Post that “this is an active investigation; the Fire Marshal is the lead.”
“The cause has not been determined,” she said. “We have responded along with all other emergency responders and we are working under the direction of the fire department.”
The incident comes just weeks after a Bronx home exploded in flames during a possible gas leak, killing a 77-year-old woman and injuring at least eight other people.
Firefighters continue to comb through the scene. Paul MartinkaIn December, a fiery blast rocked a three-story home on Vermont Street near Jamaica Avenue in Cypress Hills, injuring six people and displacing dozens of residents from their homes.
FDNY sources said at the time that the blaze stemmed from a faulty boiler connected to a gas line.
When questioned about the recent explosions and whether he thinks the city should move away from using natural gas, Adams said he believes “wholeheartedly that we should look at other methods of heat and hot water and running our city.”
“That’s part of my environmental plan,” Hizzoner said. “But right now we’re dealing with this emergency.”
