11 Firefighters and 2 Additional Victims Injured in North Carolina House Explosion and Fire

In a shocking incident in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, a house fire explosion has left eleven firefighters and two civilians injured. The event unfolded on Monday evening, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell reported that while the injuries sustained by the firefighters were serious, none were life-threatening. The firefighters are currently receiving treatment for a range of ailments, including contusions, concussions, and smoke inhalation. The two civilians were also transported to the hospital, but details regarding their conditions remain unclear, including whether they were present in the house during the explosion.

The Salisbury Fire Department received the emergency call around 5 p.m., arriving to find the single-family home fully engulfed in flames. A total of 22 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, with eleven of them entering the house to search for any occupants and to combat the fire. Chief Parnell noted that the explosion occurred shortly after their entry.

“The force of the explosion was significant enough to blow out the outside walls and lift the roof before it came crashing back down,” Parnell explained during a news conference. This dramatic description underscores the intensity of the situation faced by the firefighters.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion, with the state fire marshal and local fire and police departments involved. Preliminary reports from the North State Journal suggest that a gas leak may be a contributing factor to the incident. The home was occupied by eight residents, and the Red Cross has stepped in to provide assistance to those affected.

Photo: Firefighters at the scene in Salisbury (WSOC via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
North Carolina

In a shocking incident in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, a house fire explosion has left eleven firefighters and two civilians injured. The event unfolded on Monday evening, prompting a swift response from local authorities.

Salisbury Fire Chief Bob Parnell reported that while the injuries sustained by the firefighters were serious, none were life-threatening. The firefighters are currently receiving treatment for a range of ailments, including contusions, concussions, and smoke inhalation. The two civilians were also transported to the hospital, but details regarding their conditions remain unclear, including whether they were present in the house during the explosion.

The Salisbury Fire Department received the emergency call around 5 p.m., arriving to find the single-family home fully engulfed in flames. A total of 22 firefighters were dispatched to the scene, with eleven of them entering the house to search for any occupants and to combat the fire. Chief Parnell noted that the explosion occurred shortly after their entry.

“The force of the explosion was significant enough to blow out the outside walls and lift the roof before it came crashing back down,” Parnell explained during a news conference. This dramatic description underscores the intensity of the situation faced by the firefighters.

Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and explosion, with the state fire marshal and local fire and police departments involved. Preliminary reports from the North State Journal suggest that a gas leak may be a contributing factor to the incident. The home was occupied by eight residents, and the Red Cross has stepped in to provide assistance to those affected.

Photo: Firefighters at the scene in Salisbury (WSOC via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Topics
North Carolina