A possible gas explosion shook nearby homes, caused a home to collapse in Syracuse and sent 11 people, including children, to the hospital Tuesday afternoon, according to hospital and fire officials.
The two-story building collapsed just after 4 p.m., sparking a massive search and rescue operation involving more than 50 firefighters, Syracuse Fire Chief Michael Monds said at a news conference.
Monds said when emergency crews arrived at the scene on Carbon Street, they smelled a strong gas and found a car under debris.
“It’s unclear at this time how that vehicle got there,” Monds said.
Monds said two of the victims were in “very serious condition.” The victims were a mix of adults and children, he added.
Eleven victims were sent to Upstate University Hospital, said hospital spokesman Darryl Geddes. Syracuse Post-Standard.
Monds said the injured home occupants were likely being treated for pressure injuries and burns.
One of the victims was inside the vehicle and had to be extricated.
As the night went on, it didn’t appear anyone else was trapped in the rubble, so fire officials began a more systematic search, said District Chief Matt Cranor. In accordance with postal standards.
It was initially reported that between 17 and 20 people lived in the home, but authorities were working from a list of 13 people who had lived there, and all have been located, Cranor said.
Two nearby residents told the newspaper that the explosion shook their homes.
“This is a tragic situation,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. Second briefing session.
“This is a situation I have not personally observed, certainly nothing on this scale in terms of explosions and number of casualties, but again, we still have a lot to learn,” he added.
