Thirteen people including seven children were injured on April 21 when an explosion occurred at a house in Woodbridge, NJ where family members had gathered to celebrate the birthday of a 10-year-old child. The victims range in age from 2 to 60 years old, two of them suffered third-degree burns and were airlifted to St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
A massive fire engulfed the home after the blast which occurred around 9:30 a.m. on April 21. More than 50 firefighters responded to the scene on the 100 block of Vernon Way in the Port Reading community.They battled the blaze for two hours before they were able to bring it under control. The home was completely destroyed.
Some of the family members spoke with local media after they escaped the burning home. They said they had smelled gas prior to the explosion and that everyone was asleep when the blast occurred. Marcos Mercado, 23, told NBC4 that the boiler in the basement exploded blowing a hole through the main floor of the home. “It was a big hole in the floor right next to my niece and her hair was on fire. She put it out while she was running out the house.”
Daniel Davis, who had just turned 10 years old, woke up and realized the house was on fire but had the courage and presence of mind to get his younger brothers and cousin out safely.
Neighbors said they heard a loud boom and when the looked outside the house was completely engulfed. They ran to help the family members, some of whom were in their pajamas.
All of the children, who range in age from 1 to 17 were taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor burns and smoke inhalation. The two adults who suffered severe burns are said to be in critical condition. A GoFundMe page has been set up for the Baker family.
A field team form Elizabethtown Gas was at the scene. A representative said the company had shut down all utilities. An investigation by local fire and police is ongoing.
“The one thing most gas explosions have in common is that they could have been prevented,” said Eric Hageman, an explosion lawyer who, along with attorney Fred Pritzker, represents clients who have been injured or families who have lost loved ones in explosions.
The gas explosion team at Pritzker Hageman recently obtained a $40 million settlement for a client who had been badly burned in an explosion. To contact them for a free, no-obligation consultation, click here.