Little Falls, NY – Little Falls Police Department has confirmed that the cause of the explosion and fire on West Main Street on Wednesday afternoon was a natural gas leak.
Little Falls Police Chief Michael Masi also confirmed that three people were injured as a result of the incident.
Two were minor and were taken to the hospital. One of them had minor burns and smoke inhalation, Masi said. A third one was taken to St. Elizabeth’s (in Utica) by ambulance and later taken to Upstate Medical (in Syracuse). We did find out that that was partially smoke inhalation and an actual medical emergency unrelated to the fire. That person was actually walking by when the explosion occurred.
Masi also said a number of people, who were without power, went to other people’s houses and some even were bused to the Presbyterian Church where they were fed and kept warm until power was back on in their houses and then they went home. There were some people that went to the Travelodge that were put up for the night.
National Grid spokeswoman Virginia Limmiatis said power and gas were restored to the other homes on the block.
There was two (houses) that were completely leveled and a third one is still partially standing with extensive burn damage, Masi said. There is another house to the east of the explosion that also has some serious structual issues as well.
The cleanup and investigation kept Route 5 in Little Falls closed in both directions between Gun Club Road and Lock Street until mid-morning Thursday, but the road eventually reopened to one-way alternating traffic. It was not known when it would reopen fully.
Meanwhile, seven families affected by the fire are being provided emergency assistance by the Mohawk Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, including financial assistance for necessities such as shelter, food and clothing.