UPDATE: Gas company experts probe P'burg house explosion
Two people were injured when a home exploded Saturday afternoon in Phillipsburg, authorities have confirmed.
The blast destroyed the duplex building at 74-76 Filmore St., sending debris across the road and startling the neighborhood. An adjacent building was also damaged.
One victim had burns over 50 percent of his body and was flown to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, MayorAA Stephen Ellis said. The other suffered "just a scratch" and was being treated at St. Luke's Hospital in Phillipsburg, the mayor said.
A person in the adjacent building was uninjured and being interviewed by authorities, Ellis said.
The mayor and police Chief James Faulborn also said everyone has been accounted for. Emergency crews shortly before 7 p.m. were preparing to enter the wrecked structure.
The cause of the blast is still under investigation. There was no smoke or fire from the debris. Ellis and Faulborn said authorities smelled gas in the area.
There was no estimate yet on how much the damage will cost or how long the cleanup will take.
Steve Novak may be reached at snovak@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @type2supernovak. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.