An explosion that triggered a five-alarm fire at a Queens home left one person dead and multiple others injured, including NYPD officers, police said.
Police respond to domestic dispute
The New York Police Department said officers were called to a report of a domestic dispute about 2:42 a.m. Monday at a home on 130th Street in South Ozone Park, Queens. At a news conference, NYPD Assistant Chief Christopher McIntosh said home security footage showed Anroop Parasaram, 50, a resident of the home, forcing his way into a basement apartment where his wife, daughter and two grandchildren lived.
McIntosh said Parasaram was allegedly intoxicated, armed with a knife and carrying garbage bags filled with canisters containing an unknown substance. His daughter and grandchildren escaped the apartment, and his wife was also able to flee after being threatened, police said.
Explosion erupts as officers arrive
Police said officers were at the front door of the home around 2:57 a.m. when a fiery explosion occurred. McIntosh said some officers were thrown off their feet, knocked into the air or struck against a front gate by the blast.
Officers injured; rescues underway
Eight NYPD officers were treated for minor burns, and one suffered a head laceration requiring stitches, officials said.
Despite injuries, officers entered the burning home to rescue anyone inside. All residents were removed from the building, including one person rescued directly by police. Several residents were transported to hospitals for treatment.
“I want to be clear. We got very lucky today. This could have turned out really differently,” McIntosh said.
Fire spread; building collapses
FDNY Fire Chief John Esposito said conditions inside the home prevented firefighters from initially entering the structure to conduct searches or fully control the blaze. The fire escalated to five alarms and ultimately caused the building to collapse. Nearby homes were also damaged, displacing 16 residents.
One person found dead; investigation ongoing
Police said one person was later found dead at the scene and was awaiting official identification as of Thursday morning. The suspect, Parasaram, was not in custody at the time of the latest police briefing. Officials said the cause of the explosion and fire remains under investigation by the NYPD.
Officials react
Mayor Zohran Mamdani praised first responders, saying he was “grateful” for the NYPD, FDNY and EMS personnel who worked in “extremely difficult conditions” to rescue residents and contain the fire.
“I’m wishing all those injured a swift recovery,” Mamdani said, adding that responders showed “extraordinary bravery.”
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: NY home explosion kills one, injures officers
Reporting by Alexandra Rivera, New York Connect Team / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
