Bungalow explosion in New York injures at least 12

Fires and explosions are plentiful around the United States on a daily basis. Set a Google alert for the term “gas explosion” or “house fire,” and you will be inundated with updates.

Here is a sampling of just a few news items from around the country from the past 10 days:

At least 12 are hurt in
NY bungalow explosion

From Israel National News, June 9: At least 12 people were injured early on the morning of June 8 in a bungalow explosion in Orange County, NY.

The fire is believed to have been caused by a gas explosion in the kitchen of the Orange County bungalow, about 45 miles north of New York City. At least four of the victims suffered burns in the bungalow explosion.

The victims are believed to be students at Brooklyn’s Yeshivas Novominsk. They reportedly were renting the bungalow for Shabbat (Sabbath) in honor of their graduation.

Rabbi Lipa Brennan, the school’s executive director, said: “They were literally walking into the bungalow. They smelled a gas leak or some gas, and a second later it just went up.”

Two adults also were present at the time of the explosion.

Ten victims were released shortly after arriving at local hospitals. Two more were being treated in an intensive care unit (ICU).

Authorities are investigating.

At least 12 people were injured in the early morning of June 8 after a bungalow explosion in Orange County, NY. At least four of the victims – who were students at Brooklyn’s Yeshivas Novominsk (pictured) – suffered burns and were hospitalized.

One dead, one injured
in PA gas-station explosion

From Fox 29 Philadelphia, June 12: An explosion at the Liberty gas station on the 1200 block of Bristol Pike in Bensalem, PA, killed the co-owner and left a worker critically injured.

“It shook the house” like a bomb went off. That’s how witnesses described the explosion from an underground fuel tank at the Liberty gas station.

Frank Tomasiello was critically injured in the blast, while co-owner Joe Vigilante was buried inside the tank under a massive pile of concrete rubble. The body of Vigilante, 63, was found the next day.

Residents say the blast that happened just before 5 p.m. shook the entire neighborhood.

“I went across the street and saw the sidewalk was torn up …  I figure ‘Oh God what has happened?’ ” said Wes Myers, who lives in the neighborhood.

Two in ICU after explosion
levels Atlanta-area home

From WSB-2 Atlanta, June 13: Two people are in ICU after an explosion at a house in metro Atlanta. The Roswell Fire Department is investigating the blast, which occurred Tuesday night at a home on Pine Grove Point Drive.

Authorities say two of three people who were inside were treated on scene and then taken to Grady Memorial Hospital with second and third-degree burns.

A GoFundMe page identified the victims as Win Reid, Brendan Morton and Pat Sammons. The page said Sammons and Morton are in intensive care with critical burns over half their bodies. The page also says Reid was on the opposite side of the house at the time of the explosion and suffered minimal injuries.

Tulsa firefighter stable
after gas-line explosion

From Associated Press, June 16: A spokesperson for the Tulsa fire department said a firefighter is in stable condition in the hospital after being burned when a ruptured natural gas pipeline exploded. Police say a tractor struck the gas line.

The spokesperson said doctors are waiting for Capt. Greg Delozier’s swelling to subside to determine the extent of his injuries.

Delozier and four Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) workers were injured Thursday in an explosion and fire that followed the rupture. An initial report said one victim was a bystander.

A ONG spokesperson said she could not release the names or conditions of the injured employees.