Ridgefield Home Leveled by Explosion, Man Injured and Rescued

An explosion Monday morning leveled a single-family home in Ridgefield, New Jersey, scattering debris across the road, backyard and surrounding property.

Police, fire and PSE&G crews responded to the multi-floor residence shortly before 11:30 a.m. An off-duty police officer who lives a block away arrived at the scene and pulled an injured victim from the collapsed rear of the home, according to WABC-TV. The victim, a man believed to have been the only person inside, was transported to Hackensack University Medical Center in stable condition. His identity has not been released.

Fire and utility response

Ridgefield Police Chief Thomas Gallagher said officers worked to contain a fire that was being fed by a gas leak. It remains unclear whether the gas leak caused the explosion. PSE&G crews shut off the gas supply, and the Ridgefield Fire Department extinguished the blaze.

Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said gas service to surrounding homes has been shut off and electricity will also be cut while crews continue work at the scene.

Official statements

Ridgefield Mayor Anthony Suarez described the event as a sad situation but noted that the outcome could have been significantly worse for the borough.