An explosion during a house fire in the Piedmont region of North Carolina left 13 people injured, including 11 firefighters, officials said Monday evening.
Fire and Response
The Salisbury Fire Department responded to a single-family home around 5 p.m. on Monday and found the structure engulfed in flames. Eleven of the 22 firefighters on the scene entered the house to search for occupants and to “get water on that fire,” a step that preceded the explosion, Chief Bob Parnell said at a news conference.
Injuries
Chief Parnell said the firefighters did not suffer life-threatening injuries, but many are receiving treatment for contusions, concussions and smoke inhalation. Two other people were taken to hospital, but Parnell said he did not know their conditions and could not confirm whether they were inside the house when the fire began.
Explosion Details
The explosion had enough force that “It was enough force that the outside walls blew out, the roof came up and went back down,” Parnell said. The force of the blast caused significant structural damage and contributed to the injuries sustained by the crew.
Key Takeaways
- 13 people injured: 11 firefighters and 2 others.
- Firefighters received non-life-threatening injuries and are being treated for contusions, concussions and smoke inhalation.
- An investigation into the cause of the explosion is ongoing.
The incident underscores the hazards firefighters face when confronting residential fires, and authorities are continuing to investigate the factors that led to the explosion.
