Six people survived and three were left in critical condition after a house explosion rocked a Missouri neighborhood early Saturday morning, authorities said.
All six people were inside a home near the Missouri River in Jefferson City, Missouri, when the explosion occurred at 2:44 a.m., officials said. news release From the Jefferson City Fire Department.
By the time emergency personnel arrived, the house had virtually collapsed, with debris scattered everywhere. According to photos, one of the walls of the house was blown away, and the rest were barely standing.
JCFD initially treated the explosion as a mass casualty event due to its severity, and miraculously they were able to rescue all the injured with no fatalities reported. Three of the victims were in critical condition, and two were taken to the Jefferson City Airport and then transported to University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, according to a news release.
All six injured required critical care, the statement said. Everyone was safely recovered by 5:52 a.m., just over three hours after the house exploded.
“The extensive structural collapse and large amount of debris made rescue operations particularly difficult,” the fire department said in a statement.
A total of 37 firefighters and paramedics, nine advanced support ambulances, one excavator, and three medic helicopters assisted in the rescue.
“We're really grateful to have that equipment and we're taking the time to train,” said Jake Hawley, deputy chief and public information officer for the Jefferson City Fire Department. com.
The last person to be rescued was buried under layers of rubble, forcing response teams to dig a tunnel to extract them, the statement said.
House explosion in Jefferson City, Missouri. Jefferson City Fire Department
Two pets were also safely recovered from the rubble and are being cared for by local animal control.
The gender and age of the injured have not been released.
The cause of the explosion is currently under investigation.
