SYRACUSE, NY – A devastating explosion hit a Syracuse residence on Tuesday, leaving 10 people battling severe or critical injuries. The sudden explosion, which lifted a car into the collapsed structure, took place at a home known to host a large family.
Emergency services were called to the residential building at 205 Carbon Street around 4 p.m. ET. First responders were met with the potent smell of gas, according to Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds.
Fire personnel found multiple victims dispersed around the accident site, and 13 individuals were promptly dispatched to the hospital for urgent care, with 10 requiring ambulance transportation. Six of the injured victims were located outside of the explosion debris, while others, including a young child, were found within the structure or in the nearby vehicle.
Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh disclosed at a press briefing that the home was the residence of a seven-member family. At the time of the incident, they were hosting a visit from another six-member family.
Currently, all residents are believed to have been located, with authorities having completed an extensive 95% search of the property. Trained search dogs were deployed to the site to augment the search process, with cadaver dogs expected to join the search shortly.
City records reveal no standing code violations associated with the property, and the landlord is reportedly being interviewed by the authorities as part of the ongoing investigations.
Although the cause behind the explosion remains unclear, investigations are expected to resume in the morning. National Grid, the local utility company, ensured there weren’t any gas leaks in the area and has confirmed there were no prior reports of gas leaks ahead of the explosion.