VILLAGE OF WAPPINGERS FALLS – A construction crew ruptured a natural gas line in the area of 2 Brick Row on Thursday. The rupture sparked an explosion and ignited a house on fire. Multiple people have suffered injuries resulting in officials declaring a Mass Casualty Incident (MCI). The explosion occurred at approximately 12:20 p.m. At least one heavy equipment operator was trapped in his machine and first responders, along with the specialized rescue team from the Poughkeepsie, Arlington, and LaGrange Fire Departments have been working to reach the worker who was still alive at 2:00 p.m.
Numerous police, fire, and EMS agencies from throughout Dutchess County are on the scene along with utility crews from Central Hudson.
At least seven injured people have been transported to local hospitals with a range of injuries. One of the injured is a New York State Trooper who was one of the first to respond. Although injured, he is credited with pulling injured workers from the blast site and arranging for their medical treatment before seeking aid himself.
Some of the injured have been airlifted to other hospitals for treatment.
NY Route 9D is closed between School Street and East Main Street in Wappinger. Motorists should avoid Mill Street and Brick Row in the Village of Wappinger Falls.
Video compilation from the area of the blast with photo gallery below:
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