In New Jersey, authorities are investigating the deaths of a man and woman following a powerful explosion that rocked their homes. Neighbors reported the blast early Sunday morning in Sewell, New Jersey, just after 2 a.m.
“I heard this huge explosion. It felt like my whole house shook,” one resident, Suzanne Pinto, recalled.
The cause of the explosion remains unclear. The Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office indicated that their investigation is criminal in nature, and autopsies will be performed on the victims to gather further details. Fortunately, there are no reports of additional injuries.
Nearby properties were also impacted by the fire, which completely destroyed the house where the explosion occurred. Jill Ralph, another resident, described the frantic scene as she hurried to get her husband and 92-year-old mother to safety.
“I looked out my bedroom window, and the next door house was enveloped in flames,” Ralph said, visibly shaken. “It’s really shocking. You don’t expect to see something like that. One moment, the house is there, and the next, it’s gone.”
Pinto shared that while checking on neighbors, she realized the people inside the burning house likely couldn’t be rescued. “We knew the house was in that condition. No one could survive that fire,” she said, clearly distressed. “It’s such a tragedy. I see the man walk his dog every day. This is just heartbreaking.”
