A fiery explosion caught on the dashcam in Wilmington, North Carolina, injured four firefighters, according to local media outlets. Police said it happened after a driver veered off the road and crashed into a veterinary medical center on Tuesday morning, rupturing gas lines and sparking the explosion.
When did the explosion occur?
The building exploded roughly 20 minutes after the collision, as firefighters searched through the remnants of the structure. A nearby driver caught the blast on camera. Bystanders watched from a distance as a black plume of smoke arose from the building.
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Injuries reported
Initial reports indicated that three firefighters were hurt, but ABC News affiliate WWAY reports that four were injured. One firefighter suffered severe burns to his arms and hands while two others had minor injuries, as reported by ABC News affiliate WPDE. The condition of the fourth firefighter has not been disclosed as of publication.
WWAY reports that the most severely injured firefighter was taken to the UNC Burn Center in Chapel Hill on Wednesday.
Driver faces charges
According to police, the driver, identified as Jason Lee Beach, 46, fled the scene after the crash but was later arrested. He’s since been charged with felony DWI, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit-and-run, reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane. Beach’s bond was set at $100,000, ABC News reported.
The operators of the veterinary clinic said that the building is under construction and no pets or people were inside at the time of the crash. They said the business was slated to open in September.
An investigation into the crash and explosion is still ongoing.
