Chesapeake home explosion results in fatality

Fires and explosions make headlines across the country daily. Set a Google alert for the term “home explosion” or “apartment fire,” and you will be inundated with updates.

Here is a sampling of a few recent news items:

One dead after Chesapeake home explosion

From WAVY.com, Norfolk: One person injured during a Chesapeake home explosion in Virginia has died, officials said. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by the Chesapeake Fire Marshal’s Office.

The Chesapeake Fire Department said one of two people who was hospitalized in critical condition after Sunday’s Chesapeake home explosion died the next day at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed that the two people who were critically injured were Faye Berry and Don Berry. Fire officials have not identified the person who died.

Chesapeake Fire Lt. Anthony P. Barakat told news outlets Sunday that the two homeowners were hospitalized in critical condition after the “significant explosion.”

Firefighters were called to the house on Lofurno Road early Sunday evening, arriving within minutes of the Chesapeake home explosion. The house where the explosion happened, as well as a neighboring home and a nearby tree, caught fire.

It took crews about three hours to extinguish the blaze.

At least six other people were injured as a result of the explosion and subsequent fire, including two firefighters.

A neighbor who lives across the street captured the moment of the explosion on his home surveillance camera, and shared the video with Norfolk’s 10 On Your Side news department. The video shows a man riding his bicycle down Lofurno Road when the home explodes, sending debris flying across the street and into the air.

The Red Cross is assisting a family of six that was displaced from the second home damaged by the fire. No identities were released.

A Chesapeake home explosion Sunday has resulted in the death of one person injured. The cause of the explosion is under investigation by Virginia officials.

New Jersey fire displaces 9 families

From WPVI.com, Philadelphia: A raging fire in an apartment complex in East Windsor, New Jersey, left at least nine families without a place to live.

Firefighters found one of the Windsor Commons apartment buildings partially engulfed when they arrived just before 2 a.m. Monday.

“I’ve just lost everything in my house that I’ve built up over the last 20 years,” said one victim, who wanted to remain anonymous. “My daughter is crying.”

The victim said the fire erupted in building 6 around 1:30 a.m. Monday morning. In all, seven units were damaged and have been rendered uninhabitable.

The fire spread quickly and burned for about an hour and a half before it was placed under control. The roof collapsed in one spot.

There was a similar fire in building 7 right next door last spring, leaving many homeless then as well.

“It seems like, with this building, when something catches, it’s like wildfire and it happens quick it and burns rather quickly,” resident Sean Tavel said.

Residents Edward and Nathalie Lewis are to be married Saturday. Nathalie said that, fortunately, her gown is at the dressmaker.

“It’s nothing like somebody kicking down your door screaming ‘Fire! Fire! Get out!’ ” Edward Lewis said. “She got out with bridesmaids’ dresses. I got them out and she left me behind.”

Officials said no one was injured in the blaze.

The Mercer County Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire.

The Red Cross is helping 25 people with shelter and food.