Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – A natural gas explosion at a home in New Jersey left a man hospitalized with burns overnight Monday.
At about 1:40 a.m., authorities responded to a home on Cooks Lane in Point Pleasant Beach for a structure fire.
They found the victim outside the residence alert and conscious but with burns to an estimated to 40 to 50 percent of his body.
Kurt Wagner reported smelling the odor of natural gas when he awoke, and when he went to the bathroom and turned the light switch on, the entire house ignited in flames.
New Jersey Natural Gas responded and secured the gas meter, and firefighters extinguished the fire.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Arson Unit, Ocean County Fire Marshall and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department are investigating the origin and cause of the leak leading to the explosion.
Wagner was transported to Jersey Shore University Medical Center and subsequently transferred to Saint Barnabas Burn Center. He is currently listed in stable condition.
New Jersey Natural Gas issued reminders regarding potential gas leaks:
Since natural gas has no scent, a strong odorant that smells like rotten eggs is added to help you detect possible leaks. If you smell natural gas:
–Remove any cigarettes or other smoking materials from the area and then extinguish them
–Do NOT use matches, lighters or other open flames or activate light switches, electrical appliances, flashlights, doorbells or even garage door openers, as they could create a spark.
–Do NOT use telephones (cellular included) on the premises where the leak is suspected. Phones can create a spark.
–Evacuate everyone from the building immediately and then call NJNG from a safe location at 800-GAS-LEAK (800-427-5325). Let us know where you are.