SOUTH RIVER, NJ – A quiet cul-de-sac in New Jersey was rocked by a deadly home explosion on Thursday evening, which resulted in the death of one man and severe injuries to another. Meanwhile, authorities evacuated the surrounding neighborhood for safety measures.
The stunning aftermath of the incident revealed the Middlesex County home reduced to rubble, with debris scattered across the street and neighboring properties. A small fire triggered by the explosion produced massive smoke clouds.
The lethal explosion occurred a little past 7 p.m. at a residential property on Continental Court in South River, police confirmed. Arriving first responders discovered two severely injured men at the scene.
Tragically, one of the victims, identified as 62-year-old Kevin Gilbert, succumbed to his injuries at the site of the explosion. The other injured man was promptly transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital for urgent medical care.
The powerful explosion also inflicted damage on adjacent houses as per local media reports. South River police issued a public advisory urging residents to avoid the areas around Continental Court, Heritage Drive, and the lower end of Leonardine Avenue.
Police emphasized that the current situation posed no threat to the public but noted that the evacuation was necessary to facilitate the movement and operations of emergency vehicles and teams.
Aerial news footage revealed extensive damage caused by the explosion, with fragments of the house strewn in multiple directions.
On-site crews initiated efforts to clear out the debris to gain access to the gas lines. All gas lines in the neighborhood were subsequently shut off as a safety precaution.
The investigation into the cause of the sudden explosion is currently underway, according to law enforcement officials.