11 Firefighters injured in an explosion

SALISBURY, N.C. – Eleven firefighters were injured while responding to a fire in Salisbury Monday afternoon. Fire crews arrived to the scene on Laurel Street just before 5pm and began searching for people inside the home. The fire chief says while crews were searching an unknown source exploded injuring firefighters both inside and outside the home.

“Enough force that the outside walls blew out. The roof came up and went back down,” Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell said. “Some firefighters are being treated for contusions, concussions and, um, smoke inhalation because while they were wearing their mask, the concussion blew the mask off their face.”

Chief Parnell says all of the firefighters injured are expected to recover. He says they are eager to return to work.

The homeowner, Richard Washington says he was not home at the time of the fire. He says he has lived in the home for 48 years with his family. He is grateful that all the people who lived in the home made it out alive. He says two dogs died in the fire.

“It’s sad. I mean, it’s memories gone. I mean, my mom and dad left here for us. Now it’s gone up in smoke,” Washington said. “The house caught fire and I can’t get that back but I still got my family.”

The Red Cross is helping assist the family while they plan what to do next. Washington says his family had previously planned to gather at the home on Laurel Street for Christmas.

Fire investigators are still looking into what sparked the initial fire and triggered the explosion.